EVs to watch in 2026: New models headed for Malaysia

2025 was a big year for the Malaysian electric vehicle market, with the country finally receiving its first fully home-grown EV and annual sales jumping to nearly 40,000 units (representing 91 % Y-oY growth). As we have now stepped into 2026, a new wave of electric cars is expected to hit the Malaysian roads, adding more excitement and achievements to the local EV scene.

Here’s a look at the upcoming EVs in Malaysia in 2026.

Volvo ES90

Volvo’s new fully electric sedan, ready to join its locally assembled lineup in Malaysia, is the ES90. The automaker has opened registration of interest for the EV ahead of the launch slated for Q1 2026. Key highlights of the Volvo ES90 are as follows - 

• Built on Volvo’s SPA2 platform, the ES90 features 800-volt architecture and NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin computing system – the first in any Volvo, making it the most powerful Volvo ever in terms of processing capacity.
• The local-spec model will offer up to 333 PS and 480 Nm of torque, with an estimated WLTP range of up to 651km on a single charge. 
• The EV can charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 22 minutes using a fast 350 kW DC charger. 

Interested customers can register their interest at volvocars.com/my/cars/es90-electric. Early birds are entitled to a 2% incentive, limited to the first 100 units booked between now and March 31, 2026.

Dongfeng 007

Ready for the next big leap, Dongfeng Cars Malaysia is all set to expand its lineup in the country. In December 2025, the Chinese automaker gave us a preview of its two upcoming EVs, the Dongfeng 007 and the Dongfeng Vigo, slated for launch in Q1 2026. Key highlights of the Dongfeng 007 are as follows - 

• The Dongfeng 007 is a fully electric four-door fastback that boasts an aerodynamic design with a split-headlight design, lifting electric spoiler, flush door handles, and frameless windows.
• It measures 4,880 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, and 1,465 mm in height and spans a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. 
• In terms of powertrain, the upcoming liftback sedan may come with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options, with the top-spec version kicking out a maximum power of 544 PS and a peak torque of 640 Nm. 
• A 73.48 kWh unit is expected for the battery pack, with a cruising range of 565 km.
• With an estimated price of RM 130,000, the Dongfeng 007 will rival the likes of the BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6. 

Dongfeng Vigo 

Another Dongfeng EV that will be hitting the local shores this year is the Vigo. Key highlights are as follows - 

• The Dongfeng Vigo is a C-segment crossover that measures 4,306 mm in length, 1,868 mm in width, 1,654 mm in height, and has a 2,715 mm long wheelbase. 
• The Vigo features a rugged yet modern appearance with boxy proportions and an off-road ready stance. 
• It is likely to come packed with a single front-wheel drive electric motor (delivering 184 PS and 290 Nm) and a 44.94 kWh and 51.87 kWh battery pack, offering a range of 401 km and 471 km, respectively.
• With an estimated price of RM 110,000 to RM 120,000, the Dongfeng Vigo will compete against the Proton e.MAS 7 and the BYD Atto 3 in the local EV market. 

GAC Aion Hyptec HT

GAC’s sub-brand Aion previewed its fastback electric SUV, the Aion Hyptec HT, at the 2025 Malaysia Autoshow, which is expected to hit the local roads this year. Key highlights of the EV are as follows - 

• Based on the automaker’s AEP3.0 third-gen electric platform, the Hyptec HT features striking gull-wing doors, a long-range magazine battery, and supports lighting-fast charging.
• It measures 4,935 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,700 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,935 mm.
• In the neighbouring markets (Thailand and Indonesia), the EV comes powered by a single 340 PS/430 Nm e-motor and an 83.3 kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 600 km on a single charge. It supports up to 280kW DC fast-charging.
• The GAC Aion Hyptec HT retails for THB 1,449,000 in Thailand, which is approximately equal to RM 189k. This puts it in the same range as the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and Zeekr 7X.

GAC Aion V

At MAS 2025, Aion also previewed the Aion V electric SUV, which is inspired by the powerful Tyrannosaurus Rex. Key highlights are as follows -

• The Aion V features a bold and futuristic design and measures 4,605 mm in length, 1,876 mm in width and 1,686 mm in height, with a 2,775 mm wheelbase.
• The Thai-spec model comes powered by a single electric motor producing 204 PS of maximum power and 240 Nm of peak torque. 
• Energy is stored in a 75.2 kWh LFP Magazine battery pack, enabling the EV to cruise up to 602 km (NEDC) on a single charge.

Jetour eVT5

Backed by Chery Automobile, Jetour previewed the eVT5 EV at the 2025 Malaysia Autoshow, which is expected to hit the local roads this year. Key highlights are as follows - 

• The Jetour eVT5 is a B-segment electric SUV measuring 4,443 mm in length, 1,831 mm in width, and 1,646 mm in height. The wheelbase is measured at 2,632 mm.
• The EV runs on a front-mounted electric motor delivering a maximum power of 163 PS and a peak torque of 280 Nm. Feeding the e-motor is a 53.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, offering a range of 356 km (on the NEDC standards).
• The eVT5 is likely to be priced around RM 100,000, positioning it as Malaysia’s next budget-friendly electric SUV.
• It will compete against compact EVs like the Proton e.MAS 5, BYD Atto 3, and MG4 in Malaysia.

Volvo EX30 Cross Country

The Cross Country version of the Volvo EX30 is also slated to launch in Malaysia in 2026. Key highlights of this rugged EV are as follows -

• While the overall design remains the same as the standard model, the Volvo EX30 Cross Country features exclusive off-road-inspired elements, making it tougher and more functional. 
• The EV also has a raised ground clearance for better off-road capability, along with a retuned suspension setup.
• Powering the EX30 Cross Country is a dual motor all-wheel drive powertrain, which kicks out a maximum power of 428 PS and a peak torque of 543 Nm. 
• It is mated to a 69-kWh battery pack, offering a WLTP-claimed range of up to 427 km.  

Forthing Friday 

Dongfeng Motor Group’s new brand, named Forthing, is also ready to enter the Malaysian EV market this year with the launch of the Forthing Friday. Key highlights are as follows -

• The Forthing Friday measures 4,600 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height, with a 2,715 mm wheelbase.
• It will be offered in both pure EV and REEV (range-extended electric) versions. The EV trim uses a single e-motor tuned to make 204 PS and 340 Nm and a 64.4 kWh LFP battery, offering a range of 400 km. 
• The Forthing Friday is expected to be priced around RM 130,000 in Malaysia, rivalling the likes of the Proton e.MAS 7, MG S5 EV, and BYD Atto 3.

Denza Z9 GT

Denza Malaysia is geared up to introduce its flagship electric performance vehicle, the  Z9 GT, this year. While Malaysia's configuration has yet to be confirmed, it is offered in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid variants. Key highlights are as follows -

• The Denza Z9 GT is a four-door cruiser with a hatchback-style opening, giving the impression of a budget-friendly Porsche Panamera. 
• It measures 5,180 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 3,125 mm.
• The EV version is equipped with three electric motors, delivering a maximum output of 963 PS and 710 Nm and a 0-100 kmph acceleration time of 3.4 seconds.
• It comes paired with a 00 kWh Blade LFP battery, enabling the EV to run for 630 km (CLTC) on a single charge.

With the EV revolution gaining momentum, 2026 is set to offer Malaysians new and exciting ways to embrace sustainable mobility. 

Also read: Malaysia’s 2026 new-car watchlist, 10 launches worth keeping tabs on