Introduction
More Malaysians are switching to electric (EV) and hybrid cars to save on fuel and reduce emissions. But when it’s time to renew roadtax, many drivers get confused — “Why is there a difference when their basically electric?” That’s because the roadtax calculation and structure for EVs and hybrids differ from petrol or diesel cars. Let’s break down how they work and why it’s important to understand the difference between electric and hybrid car roadtax before buying or renewing.
1. Roadtax for Electric Cars (EVs)
For fully electric cars (EVs), the Malaysian government currently offers full roadtax exemption until the end of 2025.
That means EV owners don’t need to pay any roadtax at all during this period.
Examples:
Tesla Model 3, BYD Atto 3, or Neta V — all qualify for the full exemption.
This initiative was introduced to encourage Malaysians to switch to zero-emission vehicles. After 2025, a new tax structure will likely be introduced, but it’s expected to remain lower than for conventional petrol or diesel cars.
2. Roadtax for Hybrid Cars
Hybrid vehicles still use a combination of petrol engines and electric motors, so their roadtax is calculated based on engine capacity (cc) — not motor power.
Examples:
- Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (1798cc) → same rate as a 1.8L petrol car.
- Honda City RS e:HEV (1498cc) → same rate as a regular City 1.5L.
Although hybrids are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, they currently don’t get any special roadtax exemption in Malaysia.
3. Quick Comparison: EV vs Hybrid
| Feature | Electric Vehicle (EV) | Hybrid Vehicle |
| Engine | 100% electric | Petrol + electric motor |
| Roadtax Rate | Fully exempted (until 2025) | Based on engine cc |
| Carbon Emission | None | Low |
| Maintenance Cost | Lower | Moderate |
| Government Incentives | Many (including import & roadtax exemptions) | Limited |
4. How to Check or Renew Your Roadtax
If you want to check your roadtax rate or renew both insurance and roadtax:
- Use MyJPJ to check status and activate your digital roadtax (no physical sticker required).
- Or renew directly through BJAK, where you can check insurance prices and renew your roadtax on the same platform.
For EV owners under the current exemption, the system will automatically show “RM0” during the renewal process.
5. The Future of EV and Hybrid Roadtax
The Malaysian government is still studying a new roadtax structure for EVs after 2025.
The goal is fairness — since even EVs use public roads despite not consuming petrol.
Future roadtax calculations are expected to be based on motor power (kW) or vehicle weight, instead of engine capacity (cc) like traditional cars.
Conclusion
While electric and hybrid cars may look similar, their roadtax systems are completely different. EV owners still enjoy a major advantage right now – full exemption, but hybrid owners continue to benefit from long-term fuel savings. Before buying or renewing electric and hybrid car, always check the latest roadtax structure so you can budget correctly.
To make it easier, use BJAK to compare insurance for , calculate your roadtax, and renew both in one simple step — fast, official, and secure.
Read More:
5 Reasons Why You Should Compare Before Renewing
