Green vehicles on road to reach 50% target

NIBONG TEBAL: The International Trade and Industry Ministry is confident the number of energyefficient vehicles (EEVs) in Malaysia can reach its target of 50% by year’s end, said its Deputy Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

Ong said up to October, the percentage of EEVs was 45.6%, which translates to about 380,000 cars and 150,000 motorcycles on the roads.

He said EEVs in the country had been averaging an increase of 4.1% monthly as road users have come to appreciate the green technology.

“We may even breach the 50% mark.”

The ministry has been promoting EEVs since 2014 with various incentives and eco-friendly campaigns.

“Last year, EEVs were at 42% , which amounted to about 403,200 vehicles. Although we have the confidence to achieve the target of 50% this year, we remain unsatisfied.”

“We hope all vehicles on the road in the country are EEVs, but we need to give time for Malaysians to adapt to it,” he said.

Ong had earlier officiated a ceremony to mark the 60th year of business in Malaysia for the Boon Siew Honda Group and the production of up to 5 million motorcycles at its corporate headquarters and plant in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan.

Ong said the ministry preferred if all new vehicles on the road are EEVs.

“We want every drop of petrol to be optimised to generate power for the vehicles but it must also reduce harm to Mother Earth,” he said.

The ministry’s target is to have 80% of vehicles to be EEVs by 2022.

Earlier, Ong said that Boon Siew Honda had invested close to RM240 million for the development of the factory here with the daily production capacity of 1,200 units of motorcycles.

He said the federal government’s aspiration was to see locally grown companies increase their commitment to the local manufacturing industry.

“Boon Siew has reached its five million production mark. This is a significant accomplishment. I hope that Boon Siew will maintain its standard and quality in order to remain competitive in the market.” – by Lee Hooi Boon