Top 10 best-selling EVs in Malaysia for 2024

2024 was quite an exciting year for the Malaysian EV market as we welcomed a range of new electric cars, ranging from budget-friendly SUVs to ultra-luxurious sedans. If we look at the sales numbers, a total of 19,208 EVs have been registered so far this year, according to the data recently released by the Road Transport Department (JPJ). 

On comparing it with the EVs sold from January to November in 2023, we can see a whopping increase of 86%. Well, this clearly shows that Malaysians are adopting eco-friendly rides at a faster pace, helping the government to achieve its carbon neutrality aim by 2050.

In case you are looking to buy an electric car or want to know which ones are leading the charts, here we bring the top 10 best-selling EVs in Malaysia.

BYD Atto 3

The top-selling EV in Malaysia is the BYD Atto 3 which hit the local roads in late 2022. The automaker sold a total of 2,749 units of the electric SUV in the first eleven months of the year. The Atto 3 is likely to reach the 3,000 sales mark in 2024.

BYD Malaysia offers the Atto 3 in the sole Extended variant, priced at RM 149,800. It is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor generating 201 hp of maximum power and 310 Nm of peak torque. Feeding the motor is 49.92 kWh, which lets the EV cruise up to 410 km of range.

Tesla Model 3

The pioneer EV-exclusive brand, Tesla, made its way to local shores in 2023 with the Model Y and Model 3. Both these Tesla EVs are winning the hearts of local enthusiasts with the Model 3 currently being the second best-selling EV with 2,667 units sold from January to November 2024.

This electric mid-size sedan comes in three variants - Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range AWD, and Performance, with prices ranging from RM 189,000 to RM 242,000, respectively.

The former is powered by a single electric motor and offers a WLTP-claimed driving range of 513 km on a single charge. The Long Range AWD, on the contrary, comes equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup and a bigger battery pack providing a cruising range of 629 km. 

The top-spec Performance trim boasts a dual motor setup, 0-100 kmph sprint of 3.1 seconds, and a range of 528 km.

BYD Seal

Next on the best-selling EVs list is the BYD Seal. Launched in February this year, this sleek all-electric sedan quickly grabbed attention from Malaysians. The company has sold 2,664 units of the EV so far this year.

The BYD Seal comes in three variants - Dynamic, Premium, and Performance, with prices ranging from RM 163,800 to RM 199,800. Powering the Dynamic trim is a 61.4 kWh LFP battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed range of up to 460 km. The Premium and Performance versions run on a bigger 82.5 kWh unit, which provides a range of 570 km and 520 km, respectively.

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y is also a strong contender in the Malaysian EV market, securing fourth place in the top-selling list with a sales figure of 2,145 units. 

Tesla Malaysia offers the Model Y in three variants - RWD, Long Range Dual Motor AWD, and Performance Dual Motor AWD, the price begins at RM199,000 and goes all the way up to RM288,000.

The base-spec trim is powered by a 347 hp/420 Nm rear-wheel drive motor and a 57.5 kWh battery pack offering a range of 430 km. The Long Range model features a dual motor all-wheel drive setup kicking out 514 hp and 493 Nm and a larger 75 kWh unit that extends the range up to 533 km. The top-spec Performance trim comes with a 534 PS/660 Nm dual-motor AWD setup, achieving the century sprint in 3.7 seconds with range capacity reduced to 514 km.

BYD Dolphin 

Yet another BYD model popular among Malaysian consumers is the Dolphin. This electric hatchback joined the local lineup in July last year and the automaker has sold 1,397 units of the EV so far in 2024.

The BYD Dolphin comes in two variants - Dynamic Standard Range and Premium Extended Range, priced at RM 100,530 and RM 125,530, respectively.

The former gets energy from a single e-motor producing 94 PS and 180 Nm of torque while the latter has a more powerful unit capable of generating 204 PS and 310 Nm. Two BYD Blade battery options are - 44.9 kWh and  60.48 kWh, offering a WLTP-claimed range of 340 km and 427 km, respectively.

Great Wall Ora Good Cat and 07

Moving further from BYD and Tesla, the Ora EVs are the next favourite of Malaysians. The combined sales figure of the Good Cat and 07 between January and November 2024 is 555 units.

Launched in Malaysia in late 2022, the Ora Good Cat comes in two variants - 400 Pro and 500 Ultra, priced at RM 139,800 and RM 169,800, respectively. Both trims are loaded with a 143 hp/210 Nm electric motor, mated to either a 47.8 kWh or 63.1-kWh battery pack, offering a maximum range of up to 500 km (on the NEDC cycle).

The Ora 07 landed on Malaysian soil in April this year. It is also offered in two guises - Long Range and Performance, priced at RM 169,800 and RM 189,800, respectively. The Long Range runs on a 204 PS/340 Nm front-mounted single motor, paired with an 83.5 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 640 km. The Performance version has a dual-motor AWD setup with 408 PS and 680 Nm of combined output and 550 km of range. 

Smart #1 and #3

Distributed via Proton’s subsidiary Pro-Net, smart #1 and smart #3 are also getting love and attention from local customers. The company has sold a total of 549 units (combined) of these EVs so far this year.

Launched almost a year ago, the smart #1 comes in three variants - Pro, Premium, and Brabus, with prices ranging from RM 189,000 and RM 249,000. The smart #3 joined the range in July 2024 with the same three variant lineup comprising Pro, Premium, and Brabus. The price range is slightly higher at RM 175,000 - RM 255,000.

In terms of mechanical setup, both smart EVs are identical. The Pro and Premium come equipped with a rear-mounted motor tuned to make 272 PS and 343 Nm of peak torque whereas the top-spec Brabus runs on a dual-motor AWD setup making 428 PS and 543 Nm. Battery pack options include - 49 kWh LFP battery (Pro) and 66 kWh NCM (Premium and Brabus), offering a range between 315 and 455 km.

Chery Omoda E5

Launched in March this year, the Omoda E5 ranks seventh in the top 10 best-selling EVs in Malaysia. A total of 531 units of this Chinese electric SUV have been sold so far in 2024.

Chery offers the Omoda E5 in a sole variant, priced at RM 146,800. It comes equipped with a front-mounted electric motor, dishing out 201 PS and 340 Nm of torque. The motor is tied up with a 61 kWh Blade LFP battery pack with a WLTP-claimed range of 430 km.

MG4 

The next best-selling EV is the MG4 which was introduced in Malaysia early this year. SAIC Motor Malaysia has sold its 460 units so far. It comes in four variants - Standard, Lux, Lux Extended, and XPOWER. The price begins at RM 104,629 and goes all the way up to RM 159,629. 

The Standard variant features a 170 PS/250 Nm rear motor and a 51 kWh LFP battery, providing a WLTP-claimed range of 350 km. The Lux variant features a 203 PS motor and a 64 kWh NMC battery, while the Lux Extended Range offers 245 PS and a 77 kWh battery for 520 km of range. The XPOWER, with dual motors producing 435 PS and 600 Nm, comes with a 64 kWh battery and offers a 385 km range.

BMW i5

The BMW i5 is the only luxury electric car securing its place in the top 10 selling EVs with a year-to-date total sales of 426 units. It comes in two forms - eDrive40 M Sport and M60 xDrive.

The base-spec eDrive40 runs on a single rear-mounted motor kicking out 313 PS and 400 Nm while a 601 PS/795 Nm dual-motor AWD setup drives the top-spec M60 version. The former uses an 83.9 kWh battery pack with a 582 km range, while the latter has an 81.2 kWh battery offering 516 km.

In a nutshell, these top-selling EVs reflect the preferences and desires of eco-conscious customers in Malaysia. It makes us believe that the future of mobility is not just electric but also exciting and accessible. 

Also read: Top 7 upcoming EVs hitting the Malaysian roads In 2025