LETTER | When should tour buses go electric? Definitely not now despite high diesel prices.

Moreover, it is not an option for tour operators, as electric buses are not on display for sale at local showrooms, unlike electric cars, with models so plentiful that they may even exceed those of internal combustion engines (ICE).

Apart from high petrol prices, there are more reasons to opt for electric cars now, as they are much better in many ways than five years ago, with technology and batteries that enable longer range and faster charging, without a significant price increase and, in some cases, at lower price tags.

Without normal engines and transmissions that wear out over time, and utilising powerful batteries and electric motors at the wheels, they are more reliable and maintenance-free.

Maximum torque is produced instantly, and acceleration can be much faster than in ICE vehicles.

Last year, about 25 percent of global new car sales were electric vehicles, with Norway highest at 96 percent, Denmark (69 percent), Sweden (63 percent), China (60 percent), Vietnam (40 percent), and Malaysia at just over five percent, thanks to low fuel prices made possible by government subsidies.

Attacks on Iran

However, things changed dramatically after the United States and Israel bombed Iran on Feb 28, which retaliated with a barrage of missiles and armed drones, and merchant ships could no longer pass through the Strait of Hormuz freely, disrupting oil supply and sending prices soaring.

Although electric vehicle sales have grown exponentially in recent years, its trajectory has been accelerated.

But for tour bus operators, this option has yet to appear. Meanwhile, they continue to be apprehensive as diesel prices remain high and supplies may be interrupted.

So far, only a few multinational corporations (MNC) such as Unilever and Nestle are transporting some of their goods using electric trucks, but are mainly limited from Johor to Singapore, with Swift Haulage being the first to incorporate electric prime movers into its fleet.

Green logistics

Along with other government agencies, the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) is driving green logistics by managing the MyHIJAU Directory, enabling companies to secure tax incentives for purchasing electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

As for passenger transport, Prasarana has ordered 250 electric buses, which will be delivered from May 2026 to March 2027.

It has recently taken delivery of the last batch of diesel buses in March, and has set a target to operate only electric buses by 2037.

This will be closely watched by the private sector, which cannot afford to suffer major financial losses. Prasarana is a government-owned company under the Finance Ministry, which was established in 1998 to drive the transformation of our public transport system.

Currently, the price of electric buses is about double that of diesel buses. Now, it would be foolish for tour operators to order new buses, be they diesel or electric.

But they would reconsider when the inbound market stabilises, prices of electric buses are only 30 percent higher, and infrastructure is ready, such as adequate high-power charging stations.

There is no first-mover advantage for companies to operate electric tour buses. Also, they will not be caught off guard.

When the opportune time comes, bus manufacturers and bodybuilders using electric bus chassis would not miss the earliest chance to promote and sell their products.

YS Chan is a master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.