KUALA LUMPUR: The National Transport Policy 2019-2030 (NTP 2019-2030) which was recently launched by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to cater to Malaysia's transportation needs into the future.
According to government statistics, carbon emission in the transport sector is largely from land transport, constituting 90 per cent or 48,200 ktonne and 67 per cent is from cars. Thus among the main objectives is to ensure efficient and sustainable use of resources and minimise environmental pollution.
With the nation's total carbon emission cited at 7.9 tonne/capita (based on 2011 statistics) it is no wonder that environmental protection is highlighted as one of the main anchors of this holistic vision.
While the nation needs to stay competitive and serve the logistic needs of businesses, organisations and its people, the NTP 2019 - 2030 addresses the shift towards environmentally sustainable transport via several strategies.
Apart from enforcement of compliance to regulations as per international transport, NTP 2019 - 2030 also calls for acceleration of implementation of low carbon mobility initiatives. Thus among the key action items listed on its blueprint is to review Act 333 to support the growth and use of EEV and EV in Malaysia as well as formulate and implement fuel economy policy.
With this it would not be too optimistic to hope that the government will put in steps in the near future to make electric cars to be cheaper to buy, as a shift from fuel subsidies will be morphed into subsidies or incentives of energy efficient vehicle (EEV) or electric vehicle (EV) ownership.
Likely, the infrastructure to support EVs would also be enriched, hopefully quicker than before.
While the EV crowd did recently rejoice the news of TNB Energy Services Sdn Bhd (TNBES), and partner Malaysia Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) plan to install up to 100 charging stations for electric cars by year-end, with this announcement hopefully more good news will trickle in and encourage for EV ownership.
Equally interesting is the plan to develop procedures for vehicles' end of life and establish guidelines for scrap waste, refurbishment and recycling. For years Malaysians have looked across the straits towards Singapore's policy to deregister older vehicles in order to have them shipped out or scrapped.
This initiative is not only for curbing pollution but is also to encourage automakers to renew their offerings for the market. However only time will tell whether such an action plan will materialise here in Malaysia.
From all this, the NTP 2019 - 2030 dictates 45 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emission intensity of GDP by 2030 across all its key emitting sectors along with adoption of cleaner fuel including biodiesel and electric vehicle as among measures of success.