Thu, Dec 8, 2011

The government has development an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure roadmap which incorporates a Fleet Test Vehicle (FTV) programme in Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon said implementation of the FTV will act as a benchmark in the development of a strategic plan and work outline to expand the use of hybrid and electric cars in Malaysia.

"The government has taken various measures towards a more conducive environment for the use of electric vehicles in Malaysia," she said in response to a question from Senator Datuk Yunus Kurus.

Yunus had asked if the government planned to reduce the one-the-road (OTR) price of hybrid and electric vehicles in line with the National Green Technology Policy for the vehicles to be more competitively priced and affordable.

According to Noriah, the aspects to be scrutinised in preparing the plan includes strategies that will allow the public to be able to afford hybrid and electric vehicles.

She said the strategies included fixing a low rate to charge hybrid and electric vehicles, low interest loans for purchase of hybrid and electric car batteries, longer loan periods as well as other benefits and incentives which will be identified and considered.

She also said that the government has extended an import and excise tax exemption on electric and hybrid cars and motorcycles until Dec 31, 2013, during the tabling of the 2012 Budget.

This exemption led to a drop in the price of electric and hybrid cars in the local market, making it affordable for Malaysians, she added.

--- Source: Bernama on Yahoo News!