Caricarz Guide To EV Warranties – What You Should Know

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer many advantages over their gasoline-powered counterparts. Primarily, the bulk of EVs on sale today offer equal – if not better – performance than their combustion-powered contemporaries, and they cause less environmental harm whilst they’re at it.
While EVs are more common in developed markets like Europe, of late EV adoption has picked up tremendously is developing markets – Malaysia being one of the latest examples. In fact, you don’t need to spend much time browsing through our New Cars section to know that there are no less than 70 EV models on sale in Malaysia today through 15 different brands and automakers.

When shopping for a car, price is naturally the first thing to consider, and it appears EVs in Malaysia generally don’t cost less than RM100,000. Thankfully, it appears all new EVs sold officially in Malaysia see their prices include dedicated – or separate – warranties that cover either the high-voltage EV battery, EV drivetrain and related components, or both.
Since the battery is among the most costly parts to replace in any EV, it's critical for any prospecting buyer to know what sort of warranty coverage comes with the price. Generally, a battery warranty will cover material or workmanship defects in the battery. The majority of manufacturers that offer EVs in our market provide anywhere between 8- to 10-year coverages for the EV battery specifically. This is perhaps fair given that most EV batteries are expected to last up to 15 to 20 years of use.

However, things do go wrong at times – a small price to pay with any mass-produced tech. With that in mind, the cost of replacing an EV battery without a warranty can range anywhere from RM30,000 to RM100,000, so a lasting and comprehensive warranty on which is critical indeed.

Among the manufacturers that provide a warranty covering the battery for 8 years or 160,000 KM are Hyundai and Tesla. For the record, Tesla debuted its Model Y in Malaysia in the middle of this year, while Hyundai debuted its first fully electric vehicle, the Kona Electric, in Malaysia back in 2021.


BYD, one of the best-selling EV brands in Malaysia currently, and it offers a high-voltage EV battery warranty lasting 8 years or 160,000 KM. In addition, BYD offers an 8-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty on the drive unit, which includes the motor, motor controller, DC assembly, high voltage, and electric control assembly.

Another EV brand with an equally similar and lasting – read: reassuring – EV battery is the recently launched Smart #1. Distributed under Proton’s PRO-NET arm, said new compact premium EV crossover is offered with an 8-year or 200,000KM EV battery warranty, and it is accompanied with an 8-year or 150,000KM EV component warranty.


Not impressed? Then look no further past the renowned three-point star crest. In fact, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia boasts rather comprehensive EV ownership guarantees encompassed through a 10-year – yes, a whole DECADE – EV battery warranty plus a 250,000KM guarantee on its capacity for its flagship EQS model. If that’s not reassuring enough, then perhaps the buyback program it has for selected EV products ought to silence any other doubts.

Even those on a ‘budget’ opting for something like the Neta V have little to worry. Besides a base 5-year or 150,000KM vehicle warranty, the Neta V’s sale price of roughly RM100,000 includes a warranty on its high voltage EV battery and on-board AC charger spanning an 8-year or 180,000KM length.

Rolls-Royce, perhaps the pinnacle and final word when it comes to on-road luxury, isn’t one to be outdone. It entered the electric space through its groundbreaking Spectre which, given it’s staggering RM2 million base piece, justifiably includes a 10-year, unlimited mileage EV battery warranty on top of its usual 4-year, unlimited mileage base vehicle warranty.

Because EV battery repairs or replacement are costly, it is critical to understand the exclusions or conditions that may affect any EV battery's warranty. Some examples of exclusions include, but are not limited to:

- Utilization of non-standard charging

- Any damage caused by the use or installation of unapproved parts

- Using the battery as a stationary source of power

- Any damage incurred as a result of opening the battery coolant reservoir

- Not installing software or firmware updates

- Damages or failures caused by non-certified technicians' repairs

- Rather than using designated body lift points, lift the vehicle from beneath the battery.

- Failure to perform repairs

- Towing with the vehicle and exceeding load limits

- Abuse or neglect in general

To summarise, if you’re considering to purchase an EV today, don't be anxious about the battery or related EV drivetrain components breaking or failing. EV battery warranties are available in the same way that regular powertrain warranties are, albeit some more comprehensive than others.

Just remember to always read the fine print and ensure you know exactly what you're getting before parting ways with your precious Ringgits and signing on the dotted line.