Electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Malaysia surged in 2025, demonstrating robust market growth. This article details the top-selling EV models, the leading brands, and the factors influencing future EV adoption, including tax incentives and government policies.
Electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Malaysia experienced significant growth in 2025, more than doubling year-on-year and showcasing the strongest growth compared to other vehicle fuel segments in the country. This surge is a clear indication of the rising consumer interest and adoption of EVs in the Malaysia n market. With a total industry volume of 870,327 vehicles registered in 2025, EVs accounted for 5.2% of the overall registrations for the year.
This figure is particularly noteworthy considering that in December alone, EVs represented an even more substantial 8.4% of all registrations. The increasing market share of EVs points towards a pivotal shift in the automotive landscape of Malaysia. The Proton e.MAS 7 emerged as the most popular EV model in Malaysia for the full year 2025, with a total of 8,677 units registered. This strong performance highlights the success of local manufacturers in the EV space. Following the e.MAS 7, the BYD Sealion 7 secured the second position with 4,454 units, closely followed by the Tesla Model Y at third place with 4,401 units. The BYD Atto 3 claimed the fourth spot with 4,069 units, and the Tesla Model 3 rounded out the top five with 2,880 units. The Tesla Model 3 also maintained its position as the most popular fully electric sedan in Malaysia. The rankings demonstrate a dynamic and competitive market with a mix of established and newer brands vying for consumer attention. Further down the list, it’s worth noting the impressive performance of newer models launched in the second half of 2025. The BYD Atto 2 secured the sixth position with 1,779 units. The Zeekr 7X, also a strong performer, secured the eighth position with 1,510 units, and the BYD Seal 6 secured the ninth position with 1,279 registrations, showcasing that consumers are willing to embrace new models and brands in the EV market.The premium MPV segment also saw significant action. The Denza D9 continued to lead the segment, achieving the tenth position with 1,200 units registered. The Zeekr 009 claimed the twelfth spot with 914 units, and the XPeng X9 secured the sixteenth position with 644 units, demonstrating the growing interest in premium EV offerings. These MPV sales numbers show that the demand for electric vehicles has extended to the larger vehicle segment. BYD remains the dominant force in the Malaysian EV market, securing the top spot as the leading EV brand. In December 2025, BYD achieved a remarkable record of 2,537 registrations in a single month. For the full year, BYD registered a total of 14,407 units, reflecting its strong market presence and consumer appeal. Furthermore, when including its premium sub-brand Denza, the BYD group collectively recorded 15,607 registrations, which translates to an impressive 35% market share. Zeekr experienced considerable growth, fueled by the introduction of the Zeekr 7X, leading to a strong performance. Geely, the parent company of Zeekr, claimed the fourth position with 2,560 units registered. Chery, with its EV models from both the Omoda and iCaur sub-brands, secured the fifth position with 1,545 units. These results highlight the increasingly diverse landscape of the EV market in Malaysia, with multiple brands competing for market share.Looking ahead to 2026, the sustainability of this EV momentum hinges on several factors, particularly the government’s policies regarding tax exemptions. The recent surge in EV adoption has been significantly driven by the introduction of more affordable models, making EVs more accessible to a broader consumer base. However, a crucial question arises: Can this positive trend continue into 2026 without the current tax exemptions for completely built-up (CBU) EVs? At the time of this report, the government has yet to officially announce the new import and excise duty rates for CBU EVs, which creates some uncertainty. The tax incentives for locally assembled (CKD) EVs are scheduled to remain in place until the end of 2027, which is a positive development that supports the growth of locally assembled EVs. This may also drive the automakers to increase the CKD vehicle models in Malaysia. Customers can still customize their new Tesla orders online at the same price as in the previous year, with deliveries expected to begin in February 2026. Moreover, several brands, including Proton and BYD, have announced plans for CKD operations. This would enable them to continue offering EVs with tax-exempt pricing to consumers, even if CBU incentives change. This strategic shift towards local assembly is a positive sign for the long-term sustainability of the EV market in Malaysia. In the short term, most brands are expected to have sufficient stock from 2025 to sustain sales over the next few months. There is also an expectation of high EV registration numbers in the first quarter of the year, which is likely to be driven by consumers taking advantage of extra rebates on the 2025 models. Overall, the Malaysian EV market is poised for continued growth, although the pace of that growth will depend significantly on government policies and the evolving strategies of the automakers
Electric Vehicles EV Market Malaysia Automotive Industry BYD Tesla Zeekr Tax Incentives CKD CBU
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