MITI Targets 30,000 Public EV Chargers

MITI Targets 30,000 Public EV Chargers in Malaysia

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has announced a target to install 30,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Malaysia by 2030. This initiative, detailed in the National EV Roadmap, aims to address range anxiety among Malaysian EV owners and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. The target covers both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) chargers, with a focus on high-traffic areas such as shopping malls, highway rest stops, and residential neighbourhoods. For Malaysian users, this infrastructure expansion is critical because the current network of approximately 1,500 public chargers (as of early 2025) is insufficient to support the growing EV population, which exceeded 15,000 units in 2024. The plan is overseen by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and involves collaboration with private operators such as Gentari, ChargeEV, and Tesla Malaysia.

Key Facts

What Is the MITI 30,000 Public EV Charger Target?

The MITI 30,000 public EV charger target is a government-led initiative to deploy 30,000 publicly accessible charging points across Malaysia by 2030. It is part of the National EV Roadmap (NEV-R) and aims to eliminate range anxiety, support the projected 500,000 EVs on Malaysian roads by 2030, and align with the country’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The target includes a mix of slow AC chargers for overnight use and fast DC chargers for highway corridors, with a minimum of 10% of all chargers required to be DC fast chargers.

How Will This Target Reduce Range Anxiety for Malaysian EV Owners?

Range anxiety—the fear of running out of battery without access to a charger—is the primary barrier to EV adoption in Malaysia. With only 1,500 public chargers in 2025, the ratio of EVs to chargers is roughly 10:1, far below the recommended 5:1 ratio. By increasing the network to 30,000 chargers, the ratio improves to approximately 16:1 (assuming 500,000 EVs), but more importantly, the geographic coverage will expand to include all major highways, urban centres, and residential areas. According to MITI Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz, “The target of 30,000 public charging stations by 2030 is a critical step to ensure that EV owners have sufficient infrastructure to reduce range anxiety.” A 2024 study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) found that 72% of potential EV buyers cited charger availability as their top concern.

What Types of Chargers Are Included in the 30,000 Target?

The 30,000 chargers will comprise both AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) units. AC chargers, typically rated at 7 kW to 22 kW, are suitable for overnight charging at condominiums, office buildings, and shopping centres. DC fast chargers, rated at 50 kW to 350 kW, are intended for highway rest stops and high-traffic locations to enable rapid top-ups. All chargers must comply with Sirim certification and support the CCS2 connector standard, which is the mandated standard for new EVs in Malaysia. The government has also mandated that at least 10% of all new public chargers must be DC fast chargers to support long-distance travel.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This infrastructure expansion is designed for all Malaysian EV users, but it particularly benefits those living in condominiums and apartments in the Klang Valley, where home charging is often impossible due to strata management restrictions. For landed property owners, the target reduces the need for home charger installation, though home charging remains cheaper. For Malaysian users in compact urban settings, the availability of public AC chargers in condominium car parks and office buildings will be the most impactful, as it eliminates the need for dedicated home wiring. The plan also supports ride-hailing drivers and fleet operators who rely on fast charging during working hours.

How Does This Compare with Other Countries in Southeast Asia?

Malaysia’s target of 30,000 chargers by 2030 is ambitious relative to its current base. Thailand aims for 12,000 chargers by 2030, while Indonesia targets 20,000. Singapore, with a smaller land area, plans for 60,000 chargers by 2030. Malaysia’s per-capita charger density at 30,000 chargers would be approximately 0.9 chargers per 1,000 people, comparable to Thailand’s projected density but lower than Singapore’s 10 per 1,000. The Malaysian government has allocated RM 500 million in incentives under the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) to support charger deployment.

Common Questions

Will the 30,000 chargers be free to use?

No. Most public chargers in Malaysia are operated by private companies such as Gentari, ChargeEV, and Tesla. Users pay per kWh or per minute, with rates ranging from RM 0.50 to RM 1.20 per kWh for AC charging and RM 1.00 to RM 2.50 per kWh for DC fast charging.

How will condominium residents benefit from this target?

The target includes a specific allocation for residential areas, with MGTC encouraging developers to install AC chargers in condominium car parks. By 2030, at least 5,000 chargers are expected to be located in multi-unit dwellings, making it easier for apartment dwellers to charge overnight.

What happens if the target is not met by 2030?

MITI has stated that the target is a national priority and will be reviewed every two years. If progress lags, the government may introduce stricter mandates for new building developments and increase financial penalties for non-compliance by charger operators.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the source material from Careta.my titled “MITI Sasaran 30,000 Pengecas Awam Pastikan Infrastruktur EV Mencukupi” (accessed March 2025). Additional data on EV registrations and charger counts were cross-referenced with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) and the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). Currency conversions are not required as all figures are in Ringgit Malaysia. This article was last updated on 26 March 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the National EV Roadmap (2023) and public statements by MITI.