News
May 21, 2026
Malaysia shifts EV charging expansion strategy from quantity to quality
Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network has reached only about half of its national target, underscoring the challenges of scaling up infrastructure.
May 14, 2026Trump-Xi summit puts rare earths in focus as Japan races to diversify supply
U.S. President Donald Trump is on a state visit to China, where he is set to hold a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Market observers expect rare earth export restrictions to be among the key agenda items.
May 13, 2026Thailand auto industry pushes 32% tax on imported EVs as trade-in plan faces delays
Thailand's auto groups want a 32% excise tax on imported EVs vs 2% for local models, plus 80% local content rules. The government's EV trade-in scheme remains stalled over valuation and scrapping gaps.
May 12, 2026China’s clean tech exporters ride global energy shock as ASEAN becomes manufacturing base
China's solar exports doubled in March as 50 countries hit record imports. BYD, Chery, Gotion, and Sungrow are simultaneously building Southeast Asia factories. Read more on RECCESSARY.
May 11, 2026ASEAN Weekly: ASEAN Summit centers on energy security; Jakarta scales up electric buses, waste-to-energy
This week in ASEAN sustainability developments unfolded amid rising energy security pressures across the region.
May 07, 2026Southeast Asia must decisively decouple from fossil fuels, starting with transport
As the region plunges deeper into an energy crisis, the way out could lie in a determined move towards EV adoption and reduced reliance on oil and gas imports.
May 05, 2026Jakarta to tackle pollution with 10,000 electric buses, new waste-to-energy plants
Indonesia’s megacity Jakarta is stepping up efforts to curb environmental pollution while expanding the deployment of low-carbon technologies.
May 04, 2026ASEAN Weekly: Indonesia backs large-scale solar plan; Thailand rooftop solar reform expands household access
Southeast Asia’s sustainability agenda this week focused on progress in energy transition policies.
April 28, 2026Thailand targets 300,000 new EVs with tax cuts, expanded taxi trade-in scheme
Thailand's Ministry of Transport is proposing an 80% annual vehicle tax cut for new factory-built EVs and expanding the trade-in scheme to taxi fleets—targeting 300,000 additional EVs.
April 27, 2026Can Malaysia localize its EV supply chain while sustaining market growth?
Malaysia's EV registrations hit 4,352 units in February 2026—up 58%—but local content sits at just 20–30% versus Thailand's 40% requirement. BYD is reconsidering its assembly plans after MITI imposed an 80% export quota and MYR 100,000 price floor.