Malaysia’s Highway Authority to install 50 EV charging stations by 2027

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2026 —

The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) will install 50 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along highways in 2027, a commitment outlined in the Budget 2027 speech text—though not explicitly mentioned by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during its tabling in Parliament.

The announcement, confirmed by Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, marks a significant step toward meeting Malaysia’s broader goal of expanding EV infrastructure, though critics highlight persistent delays in similar projects by other operators.

The 2027 target represents a fivefold increase from LLM’s current deployment, which stands at 148 DC charging points across Malaysia’s highways as of 2026. The minister’s remarks suggest a weekly deployment rate of roughly one charging station, a pace that—while modest—outpaces the nearly year-long delays seen in recent projects.

For example, Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) DC charger at the R&R Rawang Northbound site, first announced in early 2023, only became operational on 28 September 2026, after construction began late last year. Industry observers note that such bottlenecks stem from land acquisition challenges and complex negotiations with multiple concessionaires at rest-and-recreation (R&R) sites.

LLM’s ambition extends beyond 2027, with the authority previously stating its aim to reach 500 charging points by 2030. The commitment comes amid broader national efforts to accelerate EV adoption, though Malaysia has fallen short of its original 10,000-charging-point target by 2025. The government has since revised the goal to 30,000 charging points by 2030, a target that remains contentious given past execution gaps.

The Works Ministry’s confirmation of LLM’s 2027 plan underscores the authority’s proactive stance, contrasting with slower progress by private charge point operators (CPOs), who face commercial and logistical hurdles in securing long-term leases at strategic highway locations.

The move aligns with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), which prioritizes EV infrastructure as a cornerstone of reducing carbon emissions. LLM’s initiative could also boost tourism and long-distance travel, as EV charging stations at R&R sites enhance convenience for intercity travelers. However, analysts warn that achieving the 500-point milestone by 2030 will require sustained government intervention, given the fragmented approval processes and infrastructure financing gaps that have plagued past projects.

The Works Ministry did not disclose specific funding allocations for the 2027 rollout, leaving industry stakeholders to speculate on whether the target will be met without additional policy support.

LLM’s ChargEV DC charger launch at Awan Besar R&R in recent months signaled its intent to prioritize high-capacity DC chargers, a critical feature for long-distance EV drivers. The authority’s focus on highway-based charging hubs could also reduce reliance on urban charging networks, which have historically faced congestion and limited availability.

Yet, the 30,000-charging-point target—nearly triple the original benchmark—implies a dramatic scaling-up effort, one that may require collaboration between LLM, private CPOs, and state governments to streamline land acquisition and regulatory approvals.

The Budget 2027 speech text, published on the official government website, did not specify funding details or timelines for individual station deployments, leaving implementation specifics to be clarified in future announcements. Works Minister Nanta Linggi’s press conference after Budget 2027’s tabling was the first official confirmation of LLM’s 2027 plan, though the authority had previously signaled its 2030 ambitions during the ChargEV launch event.

The next phase of development will hinge on land clearance, vendor partnerships, and technical feasibility studies, all of which could introduce further delays if not addressed proactively.

For now, LLM’s 50-station target for 2027 stands as the most concrete near-term commitment in Malaysia’s EV infrastructure expansion. The success of this initiative will be closely watched by investors, automakers, and EV advocates as Malaysia seeks to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable transportation.

Related: Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) · Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi