By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Jan 23 — The Selangor government plans to establish a right-hand drive (RHD) research centre in the state to support Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) industry development.
State executive councillor for investment, trade, and mobility Ng Sze Han said the proposal aims to position Selangor as a key player in the EV ecosystem, offering local residents the opportunity to engage with and contribute to the industry.
The initiative is an integral part of the state’s broader agenda to create skilled, high-income job opportunities via advancements in automation and digitalisation.
[caption id="attachment_325143" align="alignright" width="501"]
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han delivers his speech during the opening ceremony of the Selangor Aviation Show (SAS) 2023, at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre in Shah Alam, on September 7, 2023. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
"Simultaneously, it can elevate productivity and contribute to Selangor’s gross domestic product. We are optimistic the investment for this research centre can be materialised," he said when contacted.
Ng is also confident the initiative will yield positive outcomes and deliver significant benefits to various stakeholders, particularly in light of the EV industry’s global expansion.
The current global EV market is primarily dominated by left-hand drive vehicles, owing to large economies like the United States, Europe, and China.
However, there has been positive growth in RHD EVs, particularly in Southeast Asia, as well as in countries like Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and India.
Meanwhile, Selangor has pledged to empower the EV industry, having announced ambitious plans to establish a mobility lab and install 10,000 charging stations in the state by 2025 through its First Selangor Plan (RS-1).
In November last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the Federal government's commitment to facilitate the EV industry’s growth in the country as part of efforts to promote green technology usage across diverse sectors.
[caption id="attachment_343396" align="aligncenter" width="825"]
General Motors assembly workers connect a battery pack underneath a partially assembled 2018 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV) on the assembly line at Orion Assembly in Lake Orion, Michigan, the United States, on March 19, 2018. — Picture by REUTERS[/caption]
