PALO ALTO (Calif): The government has agreed to allow the importation of 100 units of Tesla electric cars on duty-free basis as part of efforts to promote electric vehicles (EV) and cut carbon emission.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this after a visit to the luxury electric-car maker and battery company Tesla Motors Inc. headquarters here.
“We want to create a more sustainable environment. Tesla is a leader in electric vehicles and they have achieved many milestones with the Model S,” he told reporters.
“Malaysia has decided to promote electric vehicles under a special programme where the government will allow imports of 100 units of Model S, premium electric sedans. These cars have zero-emission.”
“We would like to promote such cars in Malaysia,” he said.
Najib said the 100 units would be duty-exempted.
Government officials said Tesla may restrict the purchase to government-linked companies.
Details will be ironed out with the U.S. carmaker.