Are you thinking of buying an electric vehicle (EV) soon? The government is offering full tax exemption of battery electric vehicles (not hybrids) until the end of 2023, which means that there are considerable savings on the retail price.
However, unlike a hybrid where you do not have to worry about running out of electricity and being unable to recharge the battery pack to continue, EVs will require a new mindset and perhaps even a change in your driving habits. If you do not have a charging point at home, then you will have to get used to going to public charging stations regularly and make a note of where they are.
For some, such issues may be a hassle while others will adapt to them. Some may find that when they want to go outstation, they have to think about where the recharge along the way and they might not be able to detour far.
Why not try first?
Buying an EV means committing to a H-P loan for a number of years and the last thing you want is to find that living with an EV is not suitable for your lifestyle – but you are then stuck with it. But what if you could spend a while using an EV without purchasing it, see how things go and then make your decision?
The companies selling EVs may let you test-drive for a little while but don’t offer ‘trial ownership’. GoCar Malaysia, an on-demand mobility-as-a-service platform, does with its GoEV car-sharing fleet. The GoEV programme was introduced in December 2021 and after a year, more than 1,000 users have taken the opportunity to live with an EV for a short term. Collectively, they have clocked more than 500,000 kms.
According to GoCar Malaysia, over 90% of those who signed up for the GoEV programme were experiencing an EV for the first time in their lives. It must have been an unusual experience as EVs operate almost noiselessly and with their high torque from almost standstill, there is strong acceleration.
Anticipating increased interest in EVs, GoCar Malaysia is expanding its EV fleet. The company expects to have more than 30 units of Nissan LEAF deployed across 20 zones in the Klang Valley, bringing the total number to over 50 units for both sharing and also subscription options.
Making EVs more accessible
“The EV market in Malaysia has been gaining momentum, specifically in the development of charging infrastructure and introduction of more EV models from various car brands. However, accessibility to the masses is still a challenge. The high cost of purchasing an EV is simply not viable for most Malaysians, especially given current challenging economic conditions,” said Wong Hoe Mun, CEO of GoCar Malaysia.
“GoEV, the first EV car-sharing platform in Malaysia, address this issue of high cost. The goal is to provide more affordable EV access to the general public so that everyone, not just the privileged few, can experience the EV lifestyle. Through our subscription model, potential EV buyers can also take advantage of GoEV for a longer-term experience before fully committing to buy one,” he added.
Klang Valley only
GoEV Share is currently available only for round trips in the Klang Valley (pick-up and return at the same zone) and short-term use – hourly, daily, weekly or monthly. Normal rates start from RM24.90 per hour and RM249 for a day to RM232 per day for a one-month booking.
To ease any potential range anxiety, each GoEV vehicle comes with a complimentary chargEV card, which gives users access to almost 300 charging stations nationwide. Charging stations at the GoEV zones are free to use for all GoEV members.
