BMW Group Malaysia has called for an approach to expanding the country's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure that does not place additional pressure on automakers.

The company said any new measures should support EV adoption without creating additional burdens for vehicle manufacturers.

Managing Director Benjamin Nagel said policy proposals should be discussed with industry stakeholders before decisions are made on measures related to Malaysia's EV transition.

"The government comes up with ideas. I think that's important. It should be shared and discussed with the industry and then we should come with the right measures on how to continue in this transformation process. Make the process easy. Make the applications and get everything done as easily as possible and maybe also encourage the industry to really go that way," he told reporters after launching the Neue Klasse EV BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport Pro.

The government is currently studying the introduction of an EV levy to help finance the expansion of the public charging network amid concerns over the pace of infrastructure development despite previous EV incentives. The proposal has prompted discussions among policymakers and industry stakeholders on how to fund charging infrastructure and encourage wider EV adoption.

Nagel said charging infrastructure is an important factor in EV adoption and that the focus should extend beyond introducing additional levies or regulations.

He said broader infrastructure readiness, including an adequate electricity supply at suitable locations, was also necessary for the expansion of the charging network.

"The power supply needs to be there, where an original equipment manufacturer can only do the end part. It cannot lay cables in the entire city. It is a combination and we need to find the right measures and not put additional burden on the industry. We should also look into it, not just bring more levies and rules but maybe also how we can improve processes and make it easier to roll this out," Nagel added.

Asked whether an EV levy could slow adoption, he said the availability of charging infrastructure remained an important factor in market growth.

"We need to continue transforming the market and charging is very crucial. It is a little bit of a chicken-and-egg situation. If you don't have enough chargers, at one point people will not buy EV cars as well," he said.

Nagel said BMW Malaysia has worked with charging point operators and its dealer network as part of the country's charging ecosystem.

Responding to remarks by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry that some automakers had not invested sufficiently in charging infrastructure despite receiving EV incentives, Nagel commented on BMW's involvement.

"We believe we contributed already for more than 20 years and we are contributing in the entire ecosystem. EV transformation and charging is one topic," Nagel said.

The company's training centre in Cyberjaya also serves technicians from about 20 regional markets and was the first BMW facility outside its headquarters to achieve the group's highest high-voltage certification.

Nagel said BMW would continue working with the Selangor government and the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre to develop technicians skilled in both internal combustion engine and EV technologies.

"We train Malaysians to become world-class technicians to service the cars. Transformation goes far beyond pure charging. We continue to engage with the government and find the best ways forward. Making the process easy to adapt always helps transform the market," he said.