The Proton e.MAS 7 continues to retain its #1 position in three straight months, making it the most popular EV model in Malaysia with over 1,700 units registered so far. The overall EV segment continues to show growth in Q1 2025 despite the 6.51% decline in total vehicle registrations in the country compared to the same period last year.
According to the latest vehicle registration data by Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ), there are 2,976 EV registrations recorded in March which represents 3.86% of total vehicle registrations. In the first 3 months (Q1 2025), there were 6,827 EVs registered, which marks a 45.6% increase from Q1 2024 which recorded 4,689 EVs.
Proton e.MAS 7 remains #1 EV model, monthly registrations grew to 737 units in March
The Proton e.MAS 7 continues to gain momentum and it recorded 737 units in March. This is a notable jump from 580 units in February and 421 units in January.
The following 5 models on the Top 30 list are from the BYD Group, with the BYD Sealion 7 at #2 with 303 units, BYD M6 at #3 with 281 units, BYD Atto 3 at #4 with 258 units, Denza D9 at #5 with 204 units and BYD Seal at #6 with 161 units. The Denza D9 is BYD’s premium 7-seater MPV and they handed over the keys to its first batch of customers last month.
Interestingly, the Zeekr 009 has made a comeback this month at #7 with 151 units and it’s followed by the Tesla Model 3 at #8 with 138 units and the Xpeng G6 at #9 with 69 units. Meanwhile, BMW’s popular iX2 and i5 are at #10 and #11 with 65 and 50 units registered respectively.
Another interesting entry is the MG Cyberster which recorded 25 units, beating the BYD Dolphin which only recorded 18 units. Hyundai appears to be making a comeback with the Ioniq 6 at #21 with 24 units and the Ioniq 5 at #25 with 17 units.
40% of EVs registered are from the BYD Group
BYD which now has a total of six models inclusive of its premium sub-brand Denza commands 40% of the EV market in Malaysia. With both brands combined, they have recorded 1,224 registrations.
According to JPJ’s car popularity dashboard, BYD is currently the #9 carmaker in Malaysia in 2025 so far with a total of 2,159 units registered. That’s just 30 units behind Mazda and 62 units behind Mercedes Benz.
Taking #2 spot is Proton which currently only has one EV model.
Meanwhile, Tesla is showing signs of decline at #4 with only 171 units registered. The situation may change with the new Tesla Model Y “Juniper” which is expected to begin deliveries in Malaysia sometime at the end of this month.
Both Zeekr and BMW share the #5 spot with both brands registering 157 EV registrations each.
SUVs and MPVs dominate Malaysia’s new registrations
In the first 3 months of the year, we are seeing more registrations for fully electric SUVs driven by the Proton e.MAS 7 and the BYD Sealion 7 as the top 2 popular models.
Fully electric 7-seater MPVs are also gaining traction as well. The BYD M6 remains a popular choice with 537 units registered this year so far, while the premium Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 MPVs have each recorded 238 and 235 registrations respectively.
Thanks to the popularity of the Proton e.MAS 7, we are seeing more aggressive price revisions in the sub-RM150,000 EV segment. This includes the BYD Atto 3 Ultra and the Chery Omoda E5 which are now priced just under RM120,000 to match the Proton e.MAS 7’s launch rebate offer.
It is also worth highlighting that the current tax exemption for fully imported EVs (CBU) are set to end on 31st December 2025 and this might drive EV brands to push more volume into the country by the end of this year. Meanwhile, locally-assembled EVs (CKD) are able to enjoy exemptions on import duties on components, excise duties and sales tax until 31st December 2027.
Proton aims to begin CKD production of the e.MAS 7 in Tanjung Malim by the end of this year. The national carmarker has also confirmed that a cheaper EV model (supposedly e.MAS 5) is expected to be announced sometime this year with no battery leasing required.
