The Malaysian government is offering many incentives to promote Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership, including lower road tax for EVs and tax rebates for setting up EV chargers at home. But you might be wondering: Is it cheaper to own an EV compared to a standard car, and what is the cost of charging an electric car in Malaysia?
How Much Will It Really Cost to Charge Your EV in Malaysia?
Are you planning to get an Electric Vehicle soon but wondering about the cost of charging your car? You have two main options – charging at home or using public EV charging stations.
In this article, we will break down the costs associated with each option to help you make an informed comparison and better understand the expenses related to your new or soon-to-be EV.
Cost To Charge Electric Car Malaysia at Home
Your first option is to charge your EV at home. If you choose to do so, the applicable tariff will be the TNB residential rate (unless your property is under a commercial rate). Here is what you need to know about the current residential TNB tariff:
TNB Tariff Rate for Domestic |
Current Rate |
First 200 kWh (1-200 kWh) per month |
RM0.218 sen/kWh |
Next 100 kWh (201-300kWh) per month |
RM0.334 sen/kWh |
Next 300 kWh (301-600 kWh) per month |
RM0.516 sen/kWh |
Next 300 kWh (601-900 kWh) per month |
RM0.545 sen/kWh |
Next 300 kWh (901 kWh onwards) per month |
RM0.571 sen/kWh |
In this article, we will use the highest rate of RM0.571 as the standard for our calculations.
1. Determine Your EV’s Power Capacity
First, determine your EV’s power capacity. You can find this information by checking your Vehicle Grant or through the MyJPJ app. Once you know the power capacity of your EV, you can calculate the cost of charging by multiplying it with TNB’s electricity tariff rate.
For example, if you own Nissan Leaf with a 40kWh capacity, the cost to charge it from 0 percent to 100 percent would be:
40kWh x RM0.218 (first 100kWh) = RM8.72
However, you will likely use more than 100kWh for other home appliances, air-conditioning, fans, and lights. Therefore, assuming the highest tariff rate, the cost of charging your EV at home would be:
40kWh x RM0.571 = RM22.84
2. Factor in Energy Loss during the Charging Process
Also, consider energy loss during the charging process. With an average energy loss of around 16 percent, you should factor this into your calculation. To estimate the maximum cost for charging your EV at home:
RM22.84 x 16% = RM26.49
So, the maximum cost to fully charge your Nissan Leaf at home would be approximately RM26.49 per session. To put this into perspective, assuming you need to charge your EV once a week, this translates to about RM105.96 per month.
To give you a relatable comparison, this monthly charging cost is roughly equivalent to the price of four typical restaurant meals. For the cost of charging other EV models, refer to the table below.
EV Car Model |
Power Capacity |
0-100% Fully Charging + 16% Energy Loss |
BYD Dolphin Dynamic Standard Range |
70kWh |
RM46.36 |
Tesla Model 3 RWD |
208kWh |
RM137.77 |
Porsche Taycan Turbo |
520kWh |
RM344.42 |
Disclaimer: These costs are estimates only. Prices may vary depending on specific factors such as local electricity rates and charging efficiency.
Cost To Charge at EV Charging Station
While you can charge your EV comfortably at home, you might experience range anxiety when traveling long distances. Fortunately, there are numerous public charging stations available throughout Malaysia.
You can easily use apps to locate these stations, making it convenient to plan your charging stops and travel arrangements in advance. Here are a few public charging options you can consider:
1. At Shell Petrol Stations
You can now charge your EV at selected Shell stations. In West Malaysia alone, there are 200 Shell stations equipped with EV charging ports. Below are the current charges imposed by Shell:
|
Standard Member |
Gold Member |
Platinum Member |
Subscription Type |
Pay-per-use |
1 Year Subscription at RM835 per annum |
Complimentary 3-Years Subscription for Porsche Taycan owners |
Confirmation Fee to unlock charging bay |
RM5 |
RM5 |
RM2.50 |
Rate every kWh |
RM2.20 |
RM1.30 |
RM0.80 |
Every 15 mins of idling |
RM8 |
RM4.80 |
RM4 |
2. At Shell Recharge HPC in Genting Hub
Shell is offering EV charging at Genting Hub with two charging capacities – 22kW and 360kW. The higher the charging capacity, the less time it takes to charge your EV.
However, remember not to leave your EV at the charging hub for too long, as idling fees will apply. Here are the Shell Recharge HPC rates:
Charger Capacity |
22kW |
360kW |
Confirmation Fee |
RM8 |
RM10 |
Every kWh |
RM1.30 |
RM2.80 |
15 mins of Idling |
RM0 |
RM0 |
Every 15 mins of Idling |
RM2 |
RM10 |
Maximum charge per session |
RM200 |
3. At TESLA Superchargers
TESLA Superchargers in Malaysia offer charging for your EV at RM1.25 per kWh. There is also an idling fee of RM2 per minute if 50 percent of the stations are occupied, or RM4 per minute if all stations are in use.
4. At JomCharge Stations
You can also charge your EV at JomCharge Stations, which feature 50kW DC charging ports at an attractive rate of RM1.20 per minute.
5. At ChargEV Stations
In Malaysia, ChargEV offers subscriptions starting at RM240 per year. For pay-per-use, rates can be checked on their mobile app, available on both the Apple Store and Google Play. Charging fees vary by station and are displayed at each location.
6. At ChargeSini Stations
You also have the option to charge your EV at ChargeSini stations. Currently, ChargeSini offers two types of charging:
- AC Charging: RM1.10 per kWh
- DC Charging: Between RM1.20 and RM1.38 per kWh
Electric Car Malaysia: Is Charging Your EV More Cost-Effective Than Petrol?
Yes, it can be! With the government planning to abolish the fuel subsidy soon, charging an EV might be cheaper than refueling your ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car. With lower road tax rates for EVs, owners are more excited about making the switch and helping reduce emissions.
On top of that, the government is offering up to RM2,500 per year to help with the cost of setting up EV charging facilities at home or for rental. These incentives make owning an EV more affordable and convenient.
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