Skip to content

Jaecoo J5 · Jaecoo J7 · Jaecoo J7 PHEV · Jaecoo J8 · Omoda C9 · Omoda C9 PHEV · 7-year warranty · Trade-in welcome · Easy financing

Omoda JaecooOmoda JaecooAuthorized dealer · Kuala Lumpur
Test drive

Guide · Published 8 Aug 2026

EV, plug-in hybrid or petrol: which should you buy in Malaysia in 2026?

In 2026 a locally assembled EV such as the Jaecoo J5 EV still pays no import duty, excise or sales tax (the exemption runs to 31 December 2027) and its road tax is a few hundred ringgit a year at most, while fully imported EVs lost their duty exemptions on 1 January 2026. A plug-in hybrid suits drivers who cannot charge every night but want electric running in town, and petrol remains the lowest purchase price. Choose by where you park and how far you drive.

By Apple Autotech Sdn. Bhd. · Updated 19 Sept 2026

Jaecoo J7 PHEV parked on a meadow with hills behind

What changed in 2026

  • Locally assembled (CKD) EVs keep full import duty, excise duty and sales tax exemptions until 31 December 2027. The Jaecoo J5 EV is CKD, built in Shah Alam.
  • Fully imported (CBU) EVs lost those exemptions on 1 January 2026, which is why several imported EVs became more expensive this year.
  • EV road tax is no longer free. From 1 January 2026 it is based on motor output: an EV between 100 and 210 kW pays RM80 to RM280 a year. The J5 EV's 155 kW motor sits in that band, well under what a petrol SUV of the same size pays.
  • Home charger installation qualifies for RM2,500 a year of personal income tax relief through year of assessment 2027.

The case for an EV

The Jaecoo J5 EV costs RM118,800 on-the-road, RM10,800 more than the petrol J5. Its 58.9 kWh LFP battery is rated at 461 km (NEDC) or 402 km (WLTP), and DC charging at up to 130 kW takes it from 30% to 80% in about 28 minutes. On an 11 kW home wallbox a full charge takes roughly seven hours overnight. Running costs are the big saving: home electricity per kilometre is a fraction of petrol, servicing is simpler, and the battery is warranted for 10 years or 200,000 km on top of the 7-year, 150,000 km vehicle warranty. The EV makes sense if you have a parking bay where a wallbox can be installed, or reliable charging at work.

The case for a plug-in hybrid

A PHEV gives you electric driving for the daily commute and a petrol engine for the long trip, with no range planning. The Jaecoo J7 PHEV (RM158,800) covers up to 106 km on battery alone and about 1,300 km combined, and it charges on AC or up to 40 kW DC. The Omoda C9 PHEV (RM208,800) manages up to 169 km electric (NEDC) with 537 PS on tap. You still need somewhere to plug in to get the fuel savings; a PHEV that is never charged is simply a heavier petrol car. Choose it if you can charge most nights but regularly drive interstate or cannot rely on public chargers.

The case for petrol

Petrol still has the lowest entry price: the Jaecoo J5 starts at RM108,000 and the J7 at RM138,800. There is nothing to install at home, refuelling takes minutes anywhere in the country, and resale is well understood. If you live in a condominium without EV charging, or you drive under 15,000 km a year, the fuel savings of an EV may not repay the higher price for several years.

A quick checklist

  • Can you install a wallbox at home, or charge at work? Yes: EV or PHEV. No: PHEV only if a public charger is on your daily route, otherwise petrol.
  • Do you drive more than 40 km a day? The more you drive, the faster an EV pays back its higher price.
  • Do you take frequent long trips? A PHEV removes charging stops; an EV needs a DC charger roughly every 350 km.
  • Compare the monthly instalment on our finance calculator, then add your estimated fuel or electricity cost to see the real monthly figure.

All three powertrains are in our Bukit Jalil showroom, so you can drive the J5 EV, the J7 PHEV and the petrol J7 back to back on the same afternoon. Message us on WhatsApp to book.

Related questions

What warranty comes with a new Jaecoo?

Every new Jaecoo and Omoda comes with a 7-year or 150,000 km manufacturer warranty, whichever comes first. Plug-in hybrid and EV models add a separate 10-year or 200,000 km warranty on the high-voltage battery.

Are Jaecoo vehicles assembled in Malaysia?

Yes. All models are locally assembled (CKD) at a state-of-the-art facility in Shah Alam, Selangor, which means competitive pricing, faster delivery and strong parts availability nationwide.