No price controls on public EV charging, with rates determined by operators, MITI says.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not introduced any price control mechanism for public electric vehicle (EV) charging services, with rates instead determined by charging station operators based on their own commercial considerations.
According to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), this approach is intended to encourage private sector investment and foster healthy competition in the provision of EV charging services. “This will, in turn, accelerate the expansion of the public EV charging network across the country,” the ministry said in a written reply to the Dewan Negara, published on the parliament website.
The statement was in response to a question from Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, who asked MITI to state the number of public EV charging stations and whether the prices charged by operators are subject to any regulatory framework, price control mechanism, licensing requirements or government oversight.
According to MITI, a total of 6,416 public EV chargers had been installed nationwide as of May 31, 2026. Of these, 2,143 units (33.4%) are direct current (DC) fast chargers, while 4,273 units (66.6%) are alternating current (AC) chargers. Some 6,176 units (96%) are located in Peninsular Malaysia, with 208 units in Sarawak and 32 units in Sabah.
Although EV charging service rates are not regulated by the government, the development and operation of charging facilities remain subject to various regulatory requirements, technical standards and safety requirements enforced by agencies including MITI, the Energy Commission (ST) and local authorities.
MITI said the government has established two key mechanisms to ensure integrated development of the EV ecosystem. “The National EV Task Force Meeting, chaired by MITI, and the National EV Steering Committee Meeting, chaired by the deputy prime minister who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, are responsible for ensuring the integrated development of the local EV ecosystem,” MITI said.
Through these platforms, cross-ministerial and inter-agency issues including regulatory matters, safety, project implementation, charging infrastructure development and the growth of the EV industry can be coordinated holistically with industry players and other stakeholders.
MITI said the government will continue to ensure the development of the EV charging network is carried out safely, systematically and competitively through a comprehensive regulatory framework. “This includes ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies such as the Energy Commission (ST) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) in developing a regulatory approach for EV charging fees. At the same time, a conducive market environment will be maintained to encourage private investment and expand consumers’ access to EV charging facilities nationwide,” it added.
