Malaysia can phase out internal combustion engine in 15 years - Technologist

If this becomes a reality, Internal Combustion (IC) engine vehicles may just be a thing of yesterday, if Malaysia can swiftly phases out ICE automobiles in the next decade, or so.

Given a strong support from the government, Malaysia will be able to phase out ICE in the next 15 years, said Dreamedge Sdn Bhd chief executive office, Khairil Adri Adnan.

“We need 15 years to allow the ecosystem to grow as well as in ensuring the smooth transition from our current heavy reliance on ICE to electric vehicles (EV),” he said, when contacted by Astro AWANI here today.

In order to realise this vision, massive support from the government is paramount.

“The industry relies on the government (for such move) and if they decided to stop selling ICE cars, they can do so as early as next year while allowing ICE cars to be gradually phased out,” said Khairil.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai announced that the government is at its final stage of studying vehicle lifespan policy in the country.

However, he added that a date when the policy would be implemented has yet to be confirmed as it is subjected to Cabinet’s approval.

According to the National Electric Mobility Blueprint released by the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation in April 2015, an electric car saves its owner a whopping RM48,000 after 10 years of usage.

This leads to a 25 per cent less subsidy burden to the government. Even Mother Nature can get all sassy as the usage of ICE cars can improve air quality standards.

In the blueprint, Greentech Malaysia also stated that is aimed at bringing in 100,000 electric cars, 100,000 electric motorcycles, 2,000 electric buses and 125,000 charging stations.