Let's Talk About

Malaysia is targeting 30,000 EV charging points, but simply installing more chargers isn’t enough.

In this episode of SoyaCincau Let’s Talk About, we discuss the problems EV drivers still face with public charging in Malaysia, following Alex’s frustrating experience driving the

Toyota bZ4X from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and back.

During the trip, we encountered issues with Gentari chargers, including a slow app and chargers that repeatedly refused to activate. These problems don’t just waste time. They create unnecessary range and charging anxiety, particularly for newer EV owners.

If Malaysia wants greater EV adoption, charging needs to be seamless, reliable and easy to use. Charge Point Operators need to ensure high charger availability, improve reliability and provide better customer support when things go wrong.

We also discuss why alternatives such as credit card terminals, tap-and-charge and simpler payment methods should become more common, and why CPOs need to increase customer support resources during busy holiday periods.

The government still has a role to play in making EV charger deployment faster and easier, but once chargers are operational, CPOs also need to be accountable as service providers.

What has your EV charging experience been like in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments.

#EV #EVCharger #Gentari

The EV fire incident at Alam Damai, Cheras has sparked plenty of debate about EV safety in Malaysia. Are EVs really more likely to catch fire than petrol cars?

In this episode of SoyaCincau Let’s Talk About, we look beyond the speculation and examine the latest vehicle fire data from BOMBA. Based on the numbers, EV fires are actually less likely to occur compared to fires involving conventional vehicles.

We also address another concern following the incident: insurance. Some have claimed that homes may not be covered if a fire involves an EV or an EV charger. We look at what the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) actually says about fire coverage, and what EV owners should know when installing a home charger.

Are EVs really the fire hazard some people make them out to be? Let’s look at the data.

#EV #EVFire #Bomba

MITI is proposing an EV Levy on new electric vehicles to help fund EV charger deployment in Malaysia. But is funding really the problem?

In this episode of SoyaCincau Let’s Talk About, we discuss why an EV Levy may not solve Malaysia’s EV charging infrastructure challenges. While demand for EVs continues to grow, charger deployment is being held back by lengthy approvals, grid connections and red tape.On average, it can take around 14 months to get an EV charger up and running along highways in Malaysia. In some cases, high-powered DC chargers have already been installed but remain unable to operate for more than a year.So instead of introducing another levy on EVs, should Malaysia focus on fixing the processes that are slowing down charger deployment in the first place?We discuss the proposed EV Levy, the real challenges faced by charge point operators (CPOs), and what needs to change if Malaysia wants to accelerate its EV charging infrastructure.

Ferrari has finally done the unthinkable. After years of saying an electric Ferrari would never happen, the Italian marque has unveiled the Ferrari Luce, its first fully electric vehicle, its first five-seater, and one of the most controversial cars it has ever built.The reaction online has been brutal. Many Ferrari fans say it doesn’t look like a Ferrari, doesn’t sound like a Ferrari, and isn’t what the brand should stand for.But did everyone miss the point?In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss why the Ferrari Luce was never meant to replace traditional Ferraris or appeal to hardcore petrolheads. Instead, Ferrari appears to be targeting an entirely new type of customer while using the opportunity to rethink what a premium EV can be.Is the Ferrari Luce a mistake, or is it setting the benchmark for the next generation of premium EVs? Watch the discussion and let us know what you think.

In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss the growing concerns surrounding EV insurance in Malaysia following the latest findings and industry insights shared by PIAM (General Insurance Association of Malaysia).Are EV insurance premiums really becoming more expensive? Are insurance companies worried about EV-related fires and battery damage? And are EVs actually more dangerous compared to petrol or diesel vehicles?The team also addresses one of the biggest myths circulating online: whether building and fire insurance policies actually cover EV-related fires in homes, condos and car parks. PIAM recently clarified several misconceptions surrounding EV fires, insurance coverage and overall risks involving electric vehicles.As EV adoption continues to grow rapidly in Malaysia, Amin and Alex break down what EV owners and future buyers really need to know about insurance, risks and the realities behind the headlines. #PIAM #EV #Insurance

Malaysia’s EV industry is facing major uncertainty again. In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss MITI’s latest CBU EV policy changes which could effectively wipe out imported EVs priced below RM300,000. This includes the entire BYD EV lineup and many mainstream EV models Malaysians can actually afford.We also break down the government’s repeated flip-flops on CBU and CKD EV policies, the controversial export requirements imposed on BYD, and why automakers may be hesitate to invest in CKD EV production. With just two months notice, is Malaysia's CKD EV capacity sufficient to meet local demand for affordable EVs which is now driven by the middle east conflict?With EV adoption growing rapidly in Malaysia, is the country risking slowing down the transition just as consumers are embracing EVs? And while Putrajaya is urging Malaysians to be more frugal as monthly fuel subsidies balloon past RM7 billion, are these policies moving in the opposite direction of reducing fuel dependency?Amin and Alex discuss what could be happening behind the scenes and who could be impacted most.

Auto China 2026 gave us a glimpse of where the automotive industry is heading next. From next-gen EVs and plug-in hybrids to wild new tech and smarter car platforms, China is moving incredibly fast.SoyaCincau.com’s Alex, Chapree and Duke were in Beijing for Auto China 2026 where they checked out the latest models from Geely, Zeekr, Omoda, Chery and more. The team also visited Hangzhou to explore Geely’s safety facility, test drive new cars, and witness a live crash test demonstration.In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss the biggest highlights from the trip, the latest EV and PHEV trends from China, and which upcoming models could potentially make their way to Malaysia. This includes potential Proton e.MAS models in new segments.

Are cheap EVs really a bad idea? Following the MITI EV Policy issue, there’s growing criticism around affordable electric vehicles coming into Malaysia, from claims of hidden costs and poor resale value to concerns that the country could become a dumping ground for foreign brands.In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex break down these arguments and separate fact from perception. Is resale value really that important, especially when Malaysians have long paid high prices for cars with limited features and technology?We also discuss what the government can do to support the transition, especially for businesses that rely heavily on diesel. From incentives to tax exemptions for electric commercial vehicles like lorries, pickups and vans, what’s needed to move the industry forward?If EV adoption is to grow, the conversation needs to go beyond fear and focus on real solutions. #ev #miti #resalevalue

Malaysia’s EV ambitions are under the spotlight after a week of policy uncertainty involving MITI and BYD. Reports of an 80% export condition and a RM200,000 minimum price for locally assembled EVs sparked backlash, with many accusing the government of protecting national brands.MITI has since clarified that the price floor is RM100K and that the policy does not target any specific brand. But the situation raises bigger questions — why does this issue seem to centre around BYD, and why hasn’t the company responded?In this episode of Let’s Talk About #140, Amin and Alex break down what’s happening, what it means for EV affordability in Malaysia, and why clearer, long-term policies are critical to support both consumers and industry players.

Amin shares his real-world Raya balik kampung EV road trip from KL to Segamat and it almost turned into a disaster. Despite having chargers and no queues, issues like poor connectivity, glitchy nozzles, slow activation and app problems created unexpected challenges.In this episode of Let’s Talk About, we break down what went wrong, why peak season demand exposes serious gaps, and what needs to change. From deploying temporary charging solutions during festive periods to building large-scale highway charging hubs every 100km, it’s clear Malaysia needs to take EV infrastructure rollout more seriously.If we want EV adoption to grow, the focus must go beyond just selling cars. Malaysia needs stronger investments in expanding EV charging networks, grid upgrades and a long-term transition to renewables.