Activity on the electric vehicle (EV) front in Malaysia is expected to climb significantly next year, following the government’s proposal to offer fully-imported EVs complete exemption from import duty, excise duty and sales tax beginning from January 1, 2022. These exemptions, which also include zero road tax, will last for a period of two years.
A number of auto companies have been gearing up plans to add battery EVs into their local model line-up, and in the premium segment, the likes of BMW and Volvo have already announced or detailed what’s coming our way, while Mercedes-Benz’s planned EV introductions are set to be revealed in 2022, closer to their point of launch.
With rivals having already announced their plans, it’s apparent that Lexus should follow suit in due course. The only EV the Japanese automaker has in its model range is the UX 300e. Given that the all-electric SUV has already been introduced in regional markets such as Indonesia and Thailand as well as in Australia, Lexus Malaysia should be looking to launch the vehicle here to take advantage of the tax breaks.
The UX 300e features a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 204 PS (201 hp) and 300 Nm of torque, which drives the front wheels via a two-stage reduction gear. Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 seconds and a 160 km/h top speed, while operating range on a full charge is 300 km, based on a WLTP cycle.
Keyword: Lexus UX 300e EV coming to Malaysia in 2022?