The government has not introduced price controls for public electric vehicle (EV) charging services, meaning charging station operators can continue setting their own rates. 

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said operators determine their charging prices based on their own business considerations. That also means charging prices can differ between operators and change over time. Earlier this week, Tesla began charging RM0.88 per kWh at its Destination Chargers in Malaysia, which were previously free to use. 

How Much Does Charging An EV Cost? 

Public charging costs vary depending on the operator and the type of charger you use. To compare the difference, let’s look at the cost of adding 40kWh of electricity to an EV battery. 

*IIllustrative examples based on publicly listed charging rates from major EV charging operators in Malaysia. Actual charging costs vary depending on the operator, charger type, vehicle and driving conditions. 

For many EVs, 40kWh is enough to drive roughly 250km, although the actual distance depends on the vehicle and driving conditions. Based on the same energy consumption, that works out to around RM17.60 to RM27.20 for every 100km driven. 

MITI said this approach encourages more companies to invest in EV charging stations and compete with one another, helping expand Malaysia’s public charging network. As of 31 May 2026, Malaysia has 6,416 public EV chargers nationwide, including 2,143 DC chargers and 4,273 AC chargers. 

Operators Still Have To Meet Safety Standards 

While charging prices are not regulated, MITI said companies operating public EV charging stations must still comply with licensing requirements, technical standards and safety regulations enforced by the ministry, the Energy Commission (ST) and local authorities.

MITI said it will continue working with the Energy Commission and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to expand Malaysia’s EV charging network and encourage further private investment. 

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Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister’s cats.

About THE AUTHOR

Christina Chandra

Christina Chandra

Christina writes about personal finance with an eye for making the complicated feel straightforward. She is drawn to the everyday money decisions people face and genuinely enjoys finding the clearest way to explain them. Between articles, she is probably napping, on a hiking trail, or terrorising her sister's cats.

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