MARii Unveils CoEFI: Hub for EV Testing, Standards, and Future Mobility

Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional hub for EV innovation with the development of the Centre of Excellence for Future Industry (CoEFI), a facility led by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii).

This centre will be crucial for Malaysia's transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs), aligning with the National Automotive Policy (NAP2020). CoEFI is set to provide world-class facilities and technology for testing New Generation Vehicles (NxGVs), with a special emphasis on EVs and autonomous vehicles.

It will feature Malaysia’s first complete proving ground and testing labs for EVs, a vital advancement since such infrastructure currently exists only in Thailand but lacks focus on autonomous technology.

This was detailed by MARii’s CEO, Azrul Reza Aziz, during a segment on Astro Awani where he went on to explain that CoEFI is intended as a comprehensive platform supporting the country’s EV sector, enabling Malaysia to compete within the Southeast Asian automotive landscape.

In parallel, MARii is further promoting the electromobility sector by hosting the second E-Mobility Asia (EMA) event from 12 to 14 Nov, 2024, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. This major event is expected to attract over 12,000 visitors and showcase around 150 exhibitors, featuring a variety of products and solutions related to EV technology and sustainable mobility.

Additionally, MARii is also set to introduce the Battery Swapping Standard for two-wheeled EVs by the end of the year. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Standards Malaysia, this new standard aims to unify technical specifications across different EV platforms to facilitate seamless battery-swapping compatibility.

This standardised system will ensure greater accessibility for users and enable smoother adoption of EVs in Malaysia by removing compatibility barriers between different manufacturers' technologies.

Azrul highlighted the importance of the upcoming EU “battery passport system” regulation, set to become mandatory for all batteries above 2 kW in 2027. This system will track each EV battery from production through disposal, ensuring responsible recycling and proper end-of-life treatment inline with the global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.