They are critical to the global future of humanity and other life forms in the ecosystems on this planet , our “ Mother Earth ”. And they are of immense importance , especially to the youth who will need to live with the consequences of failing to “ save the planet from any catastrophic climate armageddon ”.

Energy use is the main contributor to carbon emissions globally and in Malaysia . Well , emissions from electricity generation from fossil fuels , especially from coal-fired power systems , have been virtually “ bashed to death ” in recent years .

COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 received consensus , with some significant exceptions , such as producers / consumers like China , India , Indonesia , Australia and South Africa , to at least “ phase down ”, if not phase out coal from electricity generation systems .

The focus has now fallen on emission reductions from the transportation sector , which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels in liquid and gaseous forms . The chart below ( Fig 1.1 ) shows the final energy consumption by various sectors in Malaysia .

Fortunately , this sector also provides excellent opportunities to achieve substantial energy savings and thus emission reductions through technological developments .

It is even more so if national policies are optimally aligned with the ultimate aim of emission reductions .

The chart below shows the possible magnitude of savings if appropriate policies and strategies are formulated and enforced effectively , even for a nominally “ energy guzzling ” nation like the USA .

BY G . LALCHAND

Malaysia was an early adaptor in promoting EEVs as per the excerpt of the National Automotive Policy 2014 ( update of the 2009 Policy ).

The NAP ( 2014 ) also envisaged the following targets ( amongst others ) for the local automotive industry by 2020 .

Sadly , the targets appear to have been too ambitious to start with , so it is no surprise that they have not been achieved .

The NAP has now been overtaken by the LCMB ( Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint ) 2021 – 2030 . Ideally , the LCMB should have incorporated a multitude of strategies to displace the internal combustion engine ( ICE ) versions to lower Malaysia ’ s emissions from the transportation sector .

However , it seems to have concentrated mainly on BEVs , PHEV / HEVs , Hydrogen Fuel Cell ( HFCEVs ) and alternative fuel ( biofuel ) ICE versions as its principal options .

Electric vehicles ’ battery-powered drive trains , coupled with their minimal maintenance requirements , are more efficient than those of PHEVs , HEVs and HFCEVs . So their promotion of emission reductions is indeed a “ no brainer ”.

However , they suffer from the handicap of being unaffordable for most of the wage-earning and commuting population , especially those from the M40 and perhaps even some from the B40 segment of the population .

Unfortunately , in Malaysia , especially in Peninsula Malaysia , the electricity to recharge the batteries is predominantly generated from fossil fuels ( of the order of 90 per cent ). Hence the emission reductions that such a transition can achieve may not be as substantial as the reductions that can be achieved by replacing the ICE-powered vehicles with the more affordable EEVs and HEVs .

Basic HEVs , which can sell in much larger numbers than the BEVs , PHEVs and HFCEVs due to their affordability for the M40 , and maybe even B40 local commuters , appear not to have been given due consideration . It would certainly impact the overall emission

reductions that can be achieved expeditiously under the LCMB .

The affordability of these versions of private lowemission vehicles has an immense effect on their acceptance by the local mobility users . In this respect , the EEVs and HEVs are apparent “ winners ” in the Malaysian environment .

The picture below shows an affordable EV ( from China ) which may not be available in Malaysia . It also reflects the enormous price differential between EVs available in Malaysia and possible affordable models available in some global markets .

The chart below show the global

EV and PHEV / HEV sales in recent years and IEA projections for the possible sale numbers of EVs up to 2040 .

The current global fleet of

motorised vehicles is about one billion . So even if the fleet size remains constant up to 2040 , EVs may only form about 30 per cent of the global number of vehicles .

So what is the situation for such

vehicles in Malaysia ? Extracts from the Jan 20 , 2022 , paultan . org gave the following information : In today ’ s 2021 annual review virtual Press conference , Malaysian Automotive Association ( MAA ) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad revealed that just 274 units of new EVs were registered last year ( by MAA members , which are the OEMs , not including parallel / grey market imports ). That ’ s minuscule considering that last year ’ s total industry volume ( total sales ) was 508,911 units .

Subsequently , even more , recent sales figures for Malaysia show that total sales of vehicles for the year up to March 2022 number less than 600,000 units .

Under these circumstances , the LCMB policy targets , as per the extract below , appear to be not entirely the most desirable and can be positively modified to achieve the objective of accelerated emission reductions .

Some policy and strategy recommendations

, such as those appended below , could be more effective and desirable for MGTC to achieve the objectives of a truly low-carbon mobility environment in Malaysia by 2030 .

• Establish more stringent EEV standards , preferably equivalent to the highest global standards , for all motorised vehicles , and ensure effective enforcement for compliance .

• Incentivise transformation of all taxis , buses and delivery vehicles , especially for intracity use , and even long-distance freight transport vehicles to be fully BEV as soon as possible and definitely before 2030 , instead of giving unjustified and lucrative incentives to the T20 segment who do not deserve such financial support . Such actions would also reduce the number of charging points and stations required at the service providers ’ “ home bases ” instead of having more charging points than EVs , as is the case now . It must be noted that biofuels consume , edible oil needed for human and animal consumption , besides wasting taxpayer funds for the exorbitant subsidies involved .

Transitioning ICE transport facilities to low carbon technologies through biofuels is not necessarily the best option for Malaysia to pursue .

Can we see such modifications in our present version of the LMCB ? — @ Green