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JPJ Issues New Guidelines on ICE-to-EV Conversions - A Roadmap for Malaysia's Zero-Emission Future

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 0:21 GMT by Paul Tan

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JPJ Issues New Guidelines on ICE‑to‑EV Conversions – A Roadmap for Malaysia’s Zero‑Emission Future

On 9 December 2025 the Malaysian Road Transport Department (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan, JPJ) released a comprehensive set of regulations governing the conversion of internal‑combustion‑engine (ICE) vehicles to electric powertrains. The move, announced during a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, is part of the country’s broader strategy to hit the 2025 “National Electric Vehicle Road‑Map” target of 1 million EVs by 2030. In what is being hailed as a watershed moment for the automotive industry, the new guidelines set out the technical, safety, and administrative standards that must be met for any vehicle conversion to receive official registration and road‑legal status.

1. Why New Guidelines Are Needed

The rapid acceleration of EV adoption has exposed gaps in Malaysia’s current regulatory framework. While the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has set out standards for brand‑new EVs, there has been no clear, uniform policy on converting legacy ICE cars, trucks or buses to electric power. The absence of guidelines has led to a proliferation of “DIY” conversions that, in some cases, fall short of safety and quality standards, jeopardising road safety and undermining consumer confidence.

JPJ’s new framework addresses these issues by:

• Defining the technical scope – which vehicle types are eligible, battery chemistry limits, motor power ratings, and weight‑distribution requirements.
• Standardising safety checks – including fire‑safety tests, electrical isolation, and grounding.
• Establishing a licensing process for conversion shops, ensuring they meet minimum competency standards and adhere to ISO 26262 functional‑safety protocols.
• Providing a transparent registration pathway that recognises converted vehicles under a distinct “EV” prefix on licence plates and tax invoices.

2. Core Provisions of the Guidelines

The guidelines are organised into six major sections. Below is a quick‑reference summary of the key points that practitioners, owners, and policymakers need to know.

a. Eligibility Criteria

• Vehicle Age: Converted vehicles must be less than 15 years old at the time of application to minimise structural fatigue concerns.
• Body Type: Passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, and medium‑size vans are covered. Heavy trucks and buses are excluded at this stage, pending future amendments.
• OEM Approval: Conversions must be carried out by shops holding a JPJ‑issued Conversion Workshop Licence (CWL). No OEM‑backed “remanufacture” conversions are currently allowed under the guidelines, although discussions are underway for a special “OEM‑Conversion” licence.

b. Technical Standards

• Battery Pack: Must be a lithium‑ion or lithium‑polymere battery with a capacity of no more than 200 kWh. The pack’s total weight must not increase the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) by more than 20 %.
• Motor & Inverter: Motors must be permanent‑magnet AC induction or brushless DC, with a power rating not exceeding 150 kW per axle. Inverters should comply with IEC 62196 and ISO 15118 for charging compatibility.
• Charging Interface: All conversions must include a Type‑2 (IEC 62196) charging port for Level 2 charging and, if feasible, a CCS (Combined Charging System) port for DC fast‑charging.
• Electrical Safety: The entire electrical system must be isolated from the chassis and include an emergency disconnect. All high‑voltage wiring should use 300 V rated cables and be protected against arc‑flash.

c. Safety Inspections

Conversion shops are required to submit a “Conversion Safety Inspection Report” (CSIR) to JPJ for each vehicle. This report must be signed off by a certified JPJ Inspector who checks:

• Battery placement and securing.
• Adequate ventilation and fire‑suppression systems.
• Proper grounding and shielding of high‑voltage components.
• Compliance with crash‑worthiness standards – the structural integrity of the vehicle must not be compromised by the conversion.

d. Documentation & Registration

The conversion applicant must provide:

1. Application Form (J-ECV) – available on JPJ’s website and downloadable as a PDF.
2. Proof of Purchase – of the battery, motor, and any other major components.
3. CWL Certificate – from the shop that performed the conversion.
4. CSIR – signed by an approved JPJ Inspector.
5. Certificate of Compliance (COC) – from the OEM manufacturer for the original vehicle chassis (if applicable).

Once these documents are verified, JPJ will issue a new registration number featuring an “EV” prefix (e.g., EV‑K1234). The vehicle will also be subject to the same annual road tax rates that apply to brand‑new EVs, providing a fiscal incentive for owners.

e. Environmental & Emission Compliance

Although EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, the guidelines require that the conversion shop verify that the battery’s supply chain adheres to the Malaysia Sustainable Materials Initiative (MSMI) standards for responsible mining and recycling. This is an attempt to ensure that the environmental benefits of EVs are not offset by unethical battery sourcing.

f. Enforcement & Penalties

JPJ has outlined a tiered penalty system for non‑compliance:

• First Offence – Mandatory re‑inspection and corrective action.
• Second Offence – Fine ranging from RM 5,000 to RM 20,000 and suspension of the CWL.
• Repeated Offences – Possible revocation of CWL and seizure of the converted vehicle.

3. Industry Reactions

The automotive and aftermarket sectors have largely welcomed the move, citing the need for regulatory clarity.

• Automotive Association of Malaysia (AAM) – In a statement, AAM noted that the guidelines “provide a framework that aligns with international best practices, thereby boosting consumer confidence and enabling local workshops to tap into the growing EV market.”
• Local Conversion Shop Owners – Many shop owners expressed relief, stating that the requirement for a CWL will elevate industry standards and protect consumers from sub‑standard conversions. However, some have raised concerns about the cost of obtaining a CWL and meeting ISO 26262 compliance.
• Consumers – A representative survey by the Malaysia Institute of Automotive Engineers (MIAE) found that 62 % of vehicle owners are interested in conversions, largely because of the tax incentives and the desire to reduce carbon footprints.

4. Implications for the National EV Strategy

JPJ’s guidelines dovetail neatly with the Ministry of Finance’s “Green Vehicle Incentive Programme,” which offers rebates up to RM 30,000 for fully electric vehicles. By allowing conversions to receive the same tax treatment, the guidelines effectively widen the scope of the incentive, potentially accelerating the country’s EV uptake.

Moreover, the new rules could stimulate the domestic EV supply chain. Local battery manufacturers such as Peleus Energy and Halim Power have already announced plans to supply conversion‑ready battery packs in partnership with certified workshops. The guidelines also set the stage for a future expansion to include heavy commercial vehicles, a key sector in Malaysia’s logistics network.

5. Where to Find the Full Guidelines

The complete JPJ “ICE‑to‑EV Conversion Guidelines 2025” are available in PDF format on the JPJ website (https://www.jpj.gov.my/ev-conversion-guidelines). The document is 32 pages long, with detailed technical tables, flowcharts for the conversion process, and a glossary of terms. JPJ has also posted a short video series (link on the website) that walks through the application and inspection steps.

For more context, readers can refer to:

• MoT EV Policy Overview – https://www.mot.gov.my/ev-policy
• AAM’s Position Paper on EV Conversions – https://www.aam.org.my/ev-conversions
• MIAE’s Survey on EV Adoption – https://www.miae.org/survey-2025

6. Bottom Line

JPJ’s new guidelines are a pivotal development in Malaysia’s journey toward a zero‑emission future. By setting clear technical, safety, and administrative standards for ICE‑to‑EV conversions, the government is giving vehicle owners, local workshops, and the broader automotive ecosystem the confidence and tools needed to embrace electric mobility. For those considering a conversion, the roadmap is now clearer: secure a certified workshop, collect the right documentation, pass the inspection, and enjoy the tax benefits that come with a fresh EV registration. The transition is no longer an uncharted path; it is a well‑mapped one, leading straight into the heart of Malaysia’s green economy.