The Road Transport Department (JPJ), via the Ministry of Transport, has announced the new, revised road tax (legally it’s called Motor Vehicle License fee) rates for battery EVs (BEVs). Under the new structure, BEVs with power output of less than 100 kW is capped at RM 70. The first 50 kW will cost RM 20. Since every 9.9 kW will add RM 10, the 60th and 70th kW will add another RM 20 to the Dolphin's road tax. This means that owners of the entry BYD Dolphin Standard Range (70 kW motor) will pay a

Among Southeast Asians, Malaysians are most supportive of China, according to a survey of 1,994 Southeast Asians by Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. When asked if a situation forces them to choose between USA and China, 75.1% of Malaysians answered China – the highest in the region. Is there a correlation between results of a political opinion survey and the rapid rise of Chinese car brands launching in Southeast Asia? The short answer is ‘Yes’. Of course, there are other factors that de

Governments in the US and the Europe Union claim that China is subsidizing the production of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to the point that there is no production excess capacity, leading to ‘dumping’ of Chinese BEVs in export markets. There is some truth in that claim, but like many complex subjects, a bit more nuances is required to give an honest answer. Despite accusations of dumping cheap BEVs overseas, world No.1 BEV and PHEV manufacturer BYD is selling its cars in export markets at fa

2023 saw a new sales record for electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand as 76,314 units were sold in the Kingdom and it is predicted that 2024 could be another blockbuster year. According to sales figures compiled by Autolife Thailand, 13,653 EVs were sold in January 2024. Though that number might not sound entirely significant to some, EVs accounted for 20.5% of new vehicle registrations in the first month of the year. 65,067 new vehicles were sold in Thailand in January. Thailand seems to be on tr

The funky GMW Ora Goodcat has become the first locally-assembled (CKD) BEV in Thailand; rolling off GWM’s Rayong plant, the company’s second-largest full-production manufacturing facility outside China. Michael Zhang, ASEAN Vice President, Brand & Communication said on his LinkedIn page, “GWM held The First New GWM ORA Good Cat Line-Off Ceremony, a new milestone underscores the company's capability and readiness for mass production of the New GWM ORA Good Cat from the local production line. The

Here it is, the BYD Dolphin is now launched in Malaysia. The EV is available in two different variants, the Dynamic Standard and the Premium Extended, priced at RM 100,530 and RM 125,730 respectively (OTR without insurance). The Dolphin claims the title of the second most affordable EV in Malaysia, following the Neta V, which is priced at RM 99,800 (OTR without insurance). Performance-wise, the Dynamic Standard variant is equipped with a single electric motor that generates 94 PS and 180 Nm of t