Let's Talk About

Are electric vehicles finally going mainstream in Malaysia?In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss why Malaysians are still buying EVs despite no CBU tax incentives, new hybrid competition and questions about market maturity. Has the EV industry reached the mainstream stage, or are we still in the early adoption phase?We also share our observations during the Chinese New Year balik kampung season, including the EV charging situation on highways and whether the infrastructure is keeping up with the growing number of EVs on the road.Plus, we talk about the latest developments in Malaysia’s EV industry. Perodua’s QV-E EV is reportedly facing supply challenges, while several carmakers have announced plans to assemble EVs locally, and there are more CKD EV models launched in our local market.

Malaysia’s EV adoption is rising rapidly, but so are complaints about EV charger hogging.From petrol cars blocking EV bays, to EV owners occupying charging spots without plugging in, and “pretend charging” just to secure free parking, the problem is becoming harder to ignore.As more Malaysians switch to EVs, charging etiquette and infrastructure readiness are being put to the test. Public EV chargers are still limited in many areas, and when bays are blocked or misused, it directly affects drivers who genuinely need to charge. In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex discuss why EV charger hogging is increasing, the types of hogging seen so far, whether this is an infrastructure issue or a behaviour issue. They also discuss how it impacts the #NoQueue narrative and long-distance travel. In addition, they also talk about what EV owners, property owners and authorities should be doing.Is this just growing pains in Malaysia’s EV transition or a sign of deeper problems of Malaysian behaviour?

In previous Let’s Talk About episodes, we highlighted the surge in EV registrations and the growing pressure on public chargers in Malaysia. From the lack of strategic fast-charging hubs along interstate routes to the ongoing challenges faced by high-rise residents, the gaps are becoming harder to ignore.At the same time, Perodua’s first EV concept, the QV-E, has seen a lukewarm response so far. Factors such as its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, positioning, and pricing have raised plenty of questions among viewers.In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex respond directly to comments from the last two episodes, share their latest thoughts on Perodua QV-E after ending the year with just 38 registrations, Malaysia’s EV charging landscape, discuss what the future holds for the #NoQueue narrative and the rise of more affordable PHEVs.

Malaysia’s EV adoption has seen tremendous growth last year with 44,813 units registered, but what happens next in 2026? In this episode of SoyaCincau Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex break down the state of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as key incentives expire and existing challenges remain unaddressed.They discuss the uncertainty following the end of tax exemptions for imported (CBU) EVs in 2025, concerns that EV growth could slow or decline, and whether clearer long-term policies are needed to sustain momentum.Charging infrastructure is expanding, but real-world issues remain especially for EV owners living in high-rise buildings and apartments, where the lack of a “right to charge” continues to be a major barrier. They also examine why deploying EV chargers along highways remains complicated, with no clear mandate to ensure coordinated support from all relevant agencies.The conversation includes insights from charge point operators (CPOs) who continue to push ahead despite these hurdles, often deploying chargers through alternative means to meet growing demand.This episode breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change next.

Perodua’s first EV, the QV-E, has sparked one of the biggest debates of the year. Not because of the EV itself, but because the battery is not included. Instead, the Perodua QV-E comes with a battery-leasing model (Battery as a Service) that has left many Malaysians confused, divided and asking… what were they thinking?In this episode of Let’s Talk About, Amin and Alex break down everything you need to know about the QV-E controversy — how battery leasing works, why Perodua is doing it, what it means for pricing, and whether Malaysians are ready for this concept. We also discuss whether this move is actually beneficial or just simply complicated for consumers.

"EVs have to queue up to charge"—is this true? Our recent video showing ICE cars queuing up to refuel sparked a lot of reactions—some positive, some not so much.This has opened up an important discussion about the myths versus the reality of owning and using an EV in Malaysia:•⁠ ⁠Do EVs really take a long time to charge?•⁠ ⁠Do you actually have to queue for a charger?•⁠ ⁠Is Malaysia’s EV infrastructure ready for everyone?In this podcast, we respond to viewer comments, share our experiences as EV users, and have an open conversation to set the record straight.What’s your take on EVs? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more honest discussions about EVs in Malaysia."NOTE: This LTA episode was recorded on 2nd January 2025.

After over a year of waiting, Malaysia is finally getting a second 5G network to compete with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) as part of the country's transition from Single Wholesale Network (SWN) to Dual 5G network model. MCMC made a huge surprise on 1st November 2024 by announcing U Mobile, the smallest player among the three major telcos, to implement Malaysia's second 5G network. Is U Mobile the right candidate to build a new 5G network to compete with DNB? How was the selection made? Can MCMC ensure a healthy and sustainable dual 5G network environment with this decision? What would happen to DNB? Amin and Alex discuss on this episode of Let's Talk About. NOTE: This LTA episode was recorded on 8th November 2024

Amin and Alex are not huge fans of Tesla due to questionable design choices such as the lack of an instrument cluster, signal stalks and physical controls, including the gear selector. However, they recently had the opportunity to test the Tesla Model 3 Performance on the track and on a long-distance road trip. Did the Tesla Model 3 Performance impressed us? Would we consider this EV? Is a Performance EV just as fun as a petrol-powered performance car? We discuss on this episode of Let's Talk About.

When Tesla entered the Malaysian market, it disrupted the EV industry with its sub-RM200,000 starting price. Suddenly, all other EVs on the market look overpriced. Less than a year later, we now have the BYD Seal, which offers even more performance at an even lower price. The BYD Seal Performance is also Malaysia's cheapest car to offer more than 500hp and it can get from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. In this episode of Let's Talk About, Amin and Alex will discuss the BYD Seal, its pros and cons, and how it stacks up against the Tesla Model 3

Welcome to a brand new year, and this is our first Let's Talk About Episode for 2024. The biggest thing announced after the new year is PADU, the Central Database Hub, which aims to bring all data sources from various government agencies under one roof. Shortly after the launch of PADU, concerns were raised about the platform, which includes privacy, security and also how this data will be used. Is PADU mandatory? Should you submit your data to another government platform? Amin and Alex discuss this episode of Let's Talk About.Note: This LTA session was recorded on 11th January 2024.

On 24th January 2024, PADU announced that it has "over 30 million" registrations and 1.6 million individuals have successfully updated their information.