Third national car project should explore electric vehicles, says minister

By BERNAMA | 21 August 2018


PUTRAJAYA: Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar says that the proposed third national car project explore energy-efficient vehicles as its core investment.

He said fossil fuels would probably last another 25 years or less and that there was a need to evolve and shift to more sustainable forms of energy.

Car makers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Nissan have all jumped on the electric car bandwagon in an effort to explore marketing and commercialisation options in the long run, he said in a statement today.

"The way forward is, of course, the electric vehicle (EV) option. The evolution from fossil fuel vehicles to EVs has already begun. At present, while the world continues to watch F1 racing, Formula E racing is fast picking up its own set of fans.

READ MORE:
Flow battery promises EV recharging in seconds
Are electric cars great fun to drive - or just plain boring?
Battery technology may be next stranded assets in green revolution
China firms offer to invest RM41b in Malaysia’s third national car project
China launches pilot EV battery recycling schemes


Dr Xavier said once EVs are mass-produced, people would have the option to buy environment-friendly vehicles at more affordable prices.

He said that the younger generation could pursue knowledge of and advance this new technology, which could allow Malaysia to its mark in the automobile segment, both regionally and globally.

"The EV car industry is a relatively new field, with Elon Musk's Tesla leading the way at present. The opportunity to get our youths to jump on board and expand it further is limitless. Let the government move forward with the idea," he said, referring to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's intention to introduce a third national car in an effort to boost and spearhead the economy.

Dr Xavier said it was reported recently that two Chinese companies were willing to invest up to US$10bil (RM41bil) to kick-start the project for the first five years.

Additionally, Dr Mahathir's proposal had also attracted the interest of several Japanese carmakers such as Toyota and Nissan, he said.

"In my opinion, should either deal go through, it could only benefit the country and its people in the long run," he added.

Keywords