Top 10 EV launches of 2022

The electric vehicle segment of the Malaysian automotive industry is growing at a faster pace and testimony to that is the long list of EVs launched in the local market in 2022. Well, the credit for the same goes to the rebates available on the purchase of electric vehicles and of course the growing concern for reducing carbon emissions. Here, we brought a list of the top 10 EV launches of the year, have a look -

Hyundai Ioniq 5

After the resounding success of the Kona Electric in Malaysia, Hyundai Sime Darby Motors launched its second electric SUV, the Ioniq 5, in March this year. The EV is offered in three trims in the local market viz. Lite, Plus, and Max, priced between RM 207,808 and RM 270,408.

Powering the lower trims is a 170 PS/350 Nm electric motor, which in combination with the 58 kWh battery pack offers the customers a total driving range of 384 km. The top-spec Ioniq 5, on the contrary, comes powered by two eclectic motors together delivering 305 PS and 605 Nm. Also part of the setup is a 72.6 kWh battery offering 430 km of range.

Kia EV6

Another EV that hit the local shores this year was the Kia EV6, which is known as the sister model to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Kia Malaysia offers the electric SUV in a sole GT-Line AWD, priced at RM 300,668. Under the metal skin of this Korean EV lies a twin-motor all-wheel-drive setup that kicks out 325 PS of power and 650 Nm of torque. It is mated to a 77.4 kWh battery unit, letting the EV run for 506 km on a single charge.

BYD Atto 3

In 2022, the Chinese automaker BYD (Build Your Dream) also entered the Malaysian market. The first EV of the brand on offer here is the Atto 3. It is a 5-seater EV having a size similar to the Proton X50 and comes in two different versions - Standard and Extended retailing at RM 149,800 and RM 167,800, respectively.

While both the BYD Atto 3 variants come equipped with the same 201 PS/310 Nm electric motor, the different battery packages set them apart. The Standard model features a 49.92-kWh unit with 345 km of range, while the Extended trim is kitted with a bigger 60.48-kWh pack offering 420 km.

GWM Ora Good Cat

Another Chinese car brand that marked its beginning in the local market in 2022 is Great Wall Motors. The automaker launched the Ora Good Cat electric SUV here at a starting price of RM 139,800, making it the cheapest EV on sale in Malaysia. 

Two variants of the Ora Good Cat on offer are - 400 Pro and 500 Ultra. Both are powered by the same electric motor, which is good for making 143 hp and 210 Nm of torque. However, the top-spec 500 Ultra features a bigger 63.1-kWh battery with a 500 km NEDC range while the 400 Pro comes with a 47.8 kWh unit offering 400 km.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

In the form of the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Volvo launched its first locally assembled electric vehicle in Malaysia this year. After launch, the EV also received an upgrade just last month. The 2023 model is on offer in a sole Ultimate variant, which retails for RM 278,888.

The all-new XC40 Recharge comes equipped with two electric motors (one on each axle) delivering a combined output of 408 PS and 660 Nm. The motors are fed by a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery that offers travel of up to 438 km on a single charge. 

Volvo C40 Recharge

Another Volvo EV that banged the local shores this year is the C40 Recharge, which is a coupe version of the XC40 Recharge. The C40 is available in the P8 Ultimate variant only, for which you need to shell out an amount of RM 288,888. 

As for the powertrain, it gets two electric motors together churning out a power of 408 PS and a torque of 660 Nm. Paired with the dual motor setup is a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery unit offering an all-electric range of 451 km i.e. 13 kilometres more than the XC40 EV.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 

Mercedes-Benz introduced a bunch of EVs in Malaysia this year, one of which is the EQA. It is an electric equivalent of the GLA and comes in a single EQA 250 trim, priced at RM 278,201. The fully imported EV from Germany gets its energy from a single electric motor with a rated output of 190 PS and 370 Nm. Feeding the electric motor is a 66.5-kWh battery unit that results in a WLTP-claimed range of around 429 km.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

After the EQA, comes the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which is offered as an electric counterpart of the S-Class. This luxury electric sedan is on sale in a single trim, the EQS 450+, priced at RM 698,888. The EV is packed with a 333 hp/565 Nm electric motor and a 107.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing an emission-free driving of 782 km on a full charge.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

The electric version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the EQC, also hit the local market this year. Offered in a single guise, the EQC400 4Matic retails at RM 388,888 (on the road without insurance). The electric propulsion setup of the EV comprises a dual-motor powertrain that makes a whopping power of 408 hp and a maximum torque of 765 Nm. The motors are tied up with an 80-kWh battery unit with an electric range of up to 437 km.

Mazda MX-30

Mazda Malaysia also rolled out its highly-anticipated EV, the MX-30, in 2022. The Japanese EV is offered in two versions - Mid and High at a price of RM 198,780. Both are powered by the same e-motor producing 143 hp of maximum power along with a peak torque of 271 Nm. It is coupled with a 35.5 kWh battery pack offering an electric range of 199 km.

Which of the above-mentioned electric vehicles would you like to buy? Let us know in the comments.

Also read: Top 10 car launches of 2022