Malaysia Road Tax 2026: Complete Rate Guide for All Engine Sizes and EVs
Everything you need to know about Malaysian road tax in 2026 full JPJ rate tables for petrol and diesel cars by CC, the new kW-based EV road tax structure, real-world examples for popular models, and how to renew digitally.
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Road tax is one of the most consistent costs of car ownership in Malaysia paid every year regardless of how much you drive, straightforward to calculate once you know the formula, and yet regularly forgotten when people budget for a new car.
In 2026, two significant developments have changed the road tax landscape:
First, from 1 January 2026, every battery electric vehicle (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in Malaysia now pays road tax under a brand new system introduced by JPJ. The free road tax era for EVs that ran from 2022 through 2025 is over.
Second, physical road tax stickers were abolished from February 2026. Road tax is now entirely digital stored in the MyJPJ app and verified electronically by enforcement agencies.
This article covers both changes comprehensively: the unchanged CC-based rates for petrol and diesel cars, the new kW-based structure for EVs with real-world examples for popular Malaysian models, and how to renew your road tax under the new digital system.
Part 1: Road Tax for Petrol and Diesel Cars Unchanged in 2026
For conventional internal combustion engine vehicles petrol, diesel, and hybrid road tax rates remain exactly as they were. Still calculated based on engine displacement in cubic centimetres (CC), still using the same JPJ bracket formula that has been in place for years.
Full Rate Table Peninsular Malaysia
(Private passenger vehicles, annual rate)
Up to 1,000cc RM 20.00 flat
The same flat rate applies regardless of whether you’re at 800cc or exactly 999cc. No formula required.
Popular models: Perodua Axia (999cc), Perodua Bezza 1.0 (999cc), Nissan Almera 1.0T (999cc), Perodua Ativa 1.0T (999cc)
This is the same annual road tax as an EV a frequently overlooked advantage of 1.0T turbocharged engines that produce strong power from a small displacement.
1,001cc – 1,200cc RM 55.00 flat
Few mainstream Malaysian cars currently sit in this bracket most modern models use either sub-1,000cc or 1,300cc and above engines.
1,201cc – 1,400cc RM 70.00 flat
Popular models: Perodua Myvi 1.3 (1,329cc), Proton Saga 1.3 (1,332cc), Proton Iriz 1.3 (1,332cc)
1,401cc – 1,600cc RM 90.00 flat
This bracket contains some of the most popular cars in Malaysia. Despite the large CC range covered, the rate is a flat RM 90 for everything from 1,401cc to exactly 1,600cc.
Popular models: Perodua Myvi 1.5 (1,496cc), Honda City 1.5 (1,498cc), Toyota Vios 1.5 (1,496cc), Proton X50 1.5T (1,498cc), Honda CR-V 1.5T (1,498cc), Honda Civic 1.5T (1,498cc)
The 1,600cc cliff: Moving from 1,600cc to 1,601cc jumps your annual road tax from RM 90 to over RM 200 more than doubling. This boundary is one of the most significant financial considerations when choosing between car variants.
1,601cc – 1,800cc Formula: RM 200 + RM 0.40 per cc above 1,600cc
| CC | Annual road tax |
|---|---|
| 1,601cc | RM 200.40 |
| 1,700cc | RM 240.00 |
| 1,798cc (Proton X70 1.8T) | RM 279.20 |
| 1,800cc | RM 280.00 |
1,801cc – 2,000cc Formula: RM 280 + RM 0.50 per cc above 1,800cc
| CC | Annual road tax |
|---|---|
| 1,801cc | RM 280.50 |
| 1,900cc | RM 330.00 |
| 1,998cc (Mazda CX-5 2.0) | RM 379.00 |
| 2,000cc | RM 380.00 |
2,001cc – 2,500cc Formula: RM 380 + RM 1.00 per cc above 2,000cc
| CC | Annual road tax |
|---|---|
| 2,001cc | RM 381.00 |
| 2,200cc | RM 580.00 |
| 2,487cc (Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid) | RM 867.00 |
| 2,500cc | RM 880.00 |
2,501cc – 3,000cc Formula: RM 880 + RM 2.50 per cc above 2,500cc
| CC | Annual road tax |
|---|---|
| 2,501cc | RM 882.50 |
| 2,694cc (Toyota Fortuner 2.7) | RM 1,365.00 |
| 2,755cc (Toyota Hilux 2.8D) | RM 1,517.50 |
| 3,000cc | RM 2,130.00 |
Above 3,000cc Formula: RM 2,130 + RM 4.50 per cc above 3,000cc
| CC | Annual road tax |
|---|---|
| 3,001cc | RM 2,134.50 |
| 3,500cc | RM 4,380.00 |
| 4,000cc | RM 6,630.00 |
| 5,000cc | RM 11,130.00 |
Luxury SUVs and performance sedans in this range carry four to five-figure road tax bills annually a recurring cost that is often underestimated when buying premium vehicles.
Quick Reference Popular Malaysian Models (Peninsular, Annual)
| Car | CC | Annual road tax | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perodua Axia E | 999cc | RM 20.00 | RM 1.67 |
| Perodua Bezza 1.0 | 999cc | RM 20.00 | RM 1.67 |
| Nissan Almera 1.0T | 999cc | RM 20.00 | RM 1.67 |
| Perodua Ativa 1.0T | 999cc | RM 20.00 | RM 1.67 |
| Perodua Myvi 1.3 | 1,329cc | RM 70.00 | RM 5.83 |
| Proton Saga 1.3 | 1,332cc | RM 70.00 | RM 5.83 |
| Perodua Myvi 1.5 | 1,496cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Honda City 1.5 | 1,498cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Toyota Vios 1.5 | 1,496cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Proton X50 1.5T | 1,498cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Honda Civic 1.5T | 1,498cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Honda CR-V 1.5T | 1,498cc | RM 90.00 | RM 7.50 |
| Proton X70 1.8T | 1,798cc | RM 279.20 | RM 23.27 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 | 1,798cc | RM 279.20 | RM 23.27 |
| Mazda CX-5 2.0 | 1,998cc | RM 379.00 | RM 31.58 |
| Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid | 2,487cc | RM 867.00 | RM 72.25 |
| Mazda CX-5 2.5 AWD | 2,488cc | RM 868.00 | RM 72.33 |
| Toyota Fortuner 2.7 | 2,694cc | RM 1,365.00 | RM 113.75 |
| Toyota Hilux 2.8D | 2,755cc | RM 1,517.50 | RM 126.46 |
Sabah and Sarawak Lower Rates for East Malaysia
Car owners in Sabah and Sarawak pay significantly less road tax than their Peninsular counterparts roughly 45% to 55% less across most brackets.
| Model | Peninsular | Sabah / Sarawak |
|---|---|---|
| Perodua Myvi 1.5 | RM 90/year | ~RM 56/year |
| Honda City 1.5 | RM 90/year | ~RM 56/year |
| Proton X70 1.8T | RM 279/year | ~RM 156/year |
| Mazda CX-5 2.0 | RM 379/year | ~RM 210/year |
| Toyota Fortuner 2.7 | RM 1,365/year | ~RM 770/year |
Use the MyJPJ app to get the exact rate for your car’s registration state.
Hybrid Cars Still CC-Based
An important clarification that frequently causes confusion: hybrid vehicles are taxed using the petrol CC-based formula, not the new EV kW structure.
A Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (1,798cc) pays the same road tax as a Toyota Corolla Cross petrol RM 279.20 per year. A Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid (2,487cc) pays the same as a petrol 2.5L car RM 867 per year.
Only pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) fall under the new kW-based structure.
Part 2: EV Road Tax in Malaysia 2026 The New kW-Based System
This is the section that has generated the most questions since the changes took effect in January 2026. Here is everything you need to know.
Background: Why Did EV Road Tax Change?
From 2022 through 31 December 2025, the Malaysian government provided a full road tax exemption for all BEVs and FCEVs as an incentive to accelerate EV adoption. Transport Minister Anthony Loke publicly acknowledged concerns about potentially high road tax bills and assured EV owners the new structure would remain affordable.
For several years, the Malaysian government offered a full road tax exemption for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) as an incentive to accelerate EV adoption.
Starting 1 January 2026, JPJ uses a new kW-based (kilowatt) structure not engine CC.
How the kW-Based Formula Works
Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that are taxed based on engine displacement (cc), Malaysia’s EV road tax system is determined by your vehicle’s total motor power output measured in Kilowatts (kW).
The new EV road tax pricing in Malaysia is based on the power output of the EV. The general pricing structure is divided into 11 main groups. Each group has also been divided into a block of 9.999kW.
The formula: Base rate + (Number of 9.999 kW blocks above the band minimum × Block increment)
Worked example from Malay Mail a 150 kW EV:
The 150kW output belongs to Group B, covering power output from 100.001kW to 210.000kW. This group has a base road tax price of RM80 and an increment block fee of RM20 per 9.999kW. So a 150kW EV will have an increment block fee of RM80 (4 blocks × RM20). Together with a base price of RM80, the total road tax price is RM160 for an EV with 150kW power output.
2026 EV Road Tax Bands Peninsular Malaysia
Based on the official JPJ schedule (LKM ZEV 2026):
| Band | Power output | Base rate | Increment per ~10 kW block |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | ≤ 50 kW | RM 20 flat | |
| B | 50.001 – 100 kW | RM 20 | RM 10 per block |
| C | 100.001 – 210 kW | RM 80 | RM 20 per block |
| D | 210.001 – 310 kW | RM 305 | RM 27 per block |
| E | 310.001 – 410 kW | RM 615 | RM 45 per block |
| F+ | Above 410 kW | RM 1,065+ | Continues progressively |
| Cap | Any EV | RM 20,000 maximum |
Important: Because EV road tax is strictly tied to your motor’s maximum power output, you cannot change your rate once you own the car.
One Critical Difference From ICE Road Tax
Unlike petrol cars, which historically benefit from lower road tax structures in East Malaysia, the 2026 EV road tax framework is entirely uniform across all states. An EV operated in Kuching or Kota Kinabalu pays the exact same kW rate as one driven in Kuala Lumpur.
This is a meaningful difference for EV owners in Sabah and Sarawak they do not get the East Malaysia discount that petrol car owners enjoy.
2026 Road Tax for Popular EV Models in Malaysia
| Model | Motor output | Annual road tax | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wuling Bingo EV | 50 kW | RM 20.00 | RM 1.67 |
| Proton e.MAS 5 Prime | ~58 kW | RM 40.00 | RM 3.33 |
| BYD Dolphin Dynamic | 70 kW | RM 40.00 | RM 3.33 |
| Proton e.MAS 5 Premium | ~85 kW | RM 70.00 | RM 5.83 |
| Proton e.MAS 7 | ~200 kW | RM 260.00 | RM 21.67 |
| BYD Atto 3 Standard | 150 kW | RM 160.00 | RM 13.33 |
| BYD Seal Premium | 160 kW | ~RM 180.00 | RM 15.00 |
| BMW iX1 xDrive30 | 150 kW | RM 160.00 | RM 13.33 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 | 140 kW | RM 140.00 | RM 11.67 |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | ~220 kW | ~RM 305.00 | RM 25.42 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ | ~215 kW | RM 305.00 | RM 25.42 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 150 kW | RM 160.00 | RM 13.33 |
Motor output figures sourced from manufacturer specifications. Road tax calculated using 2026 JPJ kW structure.
How Does EV Road Tax Compare to Petrol Equivalents?
On average, the new EV road tax is approximately 85% cheaper than the petrol car equivalent.
Let’s verify this with direct comparisons:
Comparison 1: BYD Dolphin (70 kW, RM 119,800) vs Perodua Myvi 1.5 AV (1,496cc, RM 62,500)
| BYD Dolphin | Perodua Myvi 1.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Road tax per year | RM 40 | RM 90 |
| Road tax per month | RM 3.33 | RM 7.50 |
| Annual saving | RM 50 in favour of Dolphin |
The difference is modest at this level RM 50 per year.
Comparison 2: BYD Atto 3 Standard (150 kW, RM 149,800) vs Honda CR-V 1.5T (1,498cc, RM 176,900)
| BYD Atto 3 | Honda CR-V 1.5T | |
|---|---|---|
| Road tax per year | RM 160 | RM 90 |
| Road tax per month | RM 13.33 | RM 7.50 |
Here the Atto 3 actually pays more road tax than the CR-V. The 150 kW motor places the Atto 3 in Band C, while the CR-V’s 1,498cc engine sits comfortably in the RM 90 bracket. This is a counter-intuitive result that surprises many EV buyers.
Comparison 3: Proton e.MAS 7 (~200 kW) vs Proton X70 1.8T (1,798cc)
| Proton e.MAS 7 | Proton X70 1.8T | |
|---|---|---|
| Road tax per year | ~RM 260 | RM 279 |
| Road tax per month | RM 21.67 | RM 23.27 |
Nearly identical road tax despite the e.MAS 7 being a significantly more powerful vehicle.
Comparison 4: Tesla Model Y RWD (~220 kW) vs Mazda CX-5 2.0 (1,998cc)
| Tesla Model Y | Mazda CX-5 2.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Road tax per year | ~RM 305 | RM 379 |
| Road tax per month | RM 25.42 | RM 31.58 |
The Model Y pays less road tax than the CX-5 despite substantially more power the kW structure favours EVs relative to their petrol equivalents across the mid-premium range.
The key insight: The 85% cheaper claim holds true when comparing EVs against the petrol cars they would have been taxed as under the old CC-based system. Popular models like the BYD Dolphin and Neta V (both 70 kW) will see their road tax drop to just RM 40 annually, a significant decrease from previous rates. Even high-performance EVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ will benefit, with its road tax falling from a staggering RM 2,779 to a more manageable RM 305.
PHEVs Still Under the Old CC System
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) such as the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge, BMW 330e, or Chery Tiggo 8 Pro e+ are charged under the standard CC-based petrol formula not the new EV kW structure. Only pure battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles qualify for the kW rates.
Part 3: Three Things About EV Road Tax That May Surprise You
1. Your Road Tax Rate Is Fixed the Moment You Choose Your Car
Unlike petrol cars where your road tax rate is locked by engine CC but remains constant year over year, EV road tax is equally fixed determined entirely by your motor’s kW rating at the time of purchase. There is no way to reduce your rate through modifications or upgrades.
This means your car’s motor output specification is a financial consideration in addition to a performance one. A car with 155 kW and a car with 149 kW will be in different rate bands under some configurations of the 11-group system potentially paying different road tax for the full duration of ownership.
2. Higher EV Power Doesn’t Always Mean Higher Road Tax Than Equivalent Petrol
The comparison between Proton e.MAS 7 (~200 kW, ~RM 260/year) and Proton X70 1.8T (1,798cc, RM 279/year) illustrates this well the significantly more powerful EV pays less annual road tax than its petrol sibling from the same brand.
Similarly, the BYD Seal at 160 kW pays approximately RM 180 per year while a Toyota Camry 2.5 petrol pays RM 867 per year despite the Seal being by most measures the more powerful vehicle in real-world driving.
The kW structure has been deliberately set to be favourable to EVs, in line with the government’s target of keeping EV road tax approximately 85% cheaper than the equivalent ICE structure.
3. East Malaysia EV Owners Don’t Get the Regional Discount
Sabah and Sarawak car owners have always benefited from lower road tax than Peninsular Malaysia typically 45% to 55% lower on petrol and diesel vehicles. This regional pricing difference reflects historical cost-of-living adjustments for East Malaysia.
The new EV road tax structure does not carry this regional discount. The 2026 EV road tax framework is entirely uniform across all states.
For East Malaysian drivers, this means the relative advantage of EVs over petrol cars from a road tax perspective is somewhat less than it appears for Peninsular drivers because their petrol equivalent is already discounted.
Part 4: Road Tax in the Context of Your Full Monthly Car Cost
Road tax is often forgotten when people budget for a new car because it’s paid annually, it doesn’t appear as a monthly deduction. But amortised over 12 months, it becomes a meaningful line item especially as engine size increases.
| Car | Annual road tax | Monthly equivalent | % of total monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perodua Axia (999cc) | RM 20 | RM 1.67 | ~0.2% |
| Perodua Myvi 1.5 | RM 90 | RM 7.50 | ~0.8% |
| Proton X70 1.8T | RM 279 | RM 23.25 | ~1.5% |
| Toyota Fortuner 2.7 | RM 1,365 | RM 113.75 | ~5–6% |
| BYD Atto 3 (150 kW) | RM 160 | RM 13.33 | ~0.6% |
| Proton e.MAS 5 (58 kW) | RM 40 | RM 3.33 | ~0.4% |
For economy car owners, road tax is a minor cost. For buyers considering larger engined SUVs or trucks, it becomes a meaningful recurring expense. The Fortuner’s RM 113.75 monthly road tax equivalent is roughly what many smaller car owners spend on servicing.
Part 5: Where the Road Tax Bracket Boundaries Matter Most
Knowing exactly where the CC brackets sit can directly influence your variant choice especially when two variants of the same model straddle a significant boundary.
The 1,600cc Boundary RM 90 vs RM 200+
This is the most consequential boundary for mainstream Malaysian buyers. Everything at 1,600cc and below pays RM 90 per year. At 1,601cc, the rate jumps to over RM 200 and increases progressively from there.
Why this matters in practice: when choosing between a Honda City 1.5 (1,498cc, RM 90) and an older-generation Civic 1.6 or a Persona 1.6 (1,600cc, still RM 90 exactly on the boundary), knowing that anything above that line immediately costs more than double is useful context.
The 1.0T Turbocharged Advantage
The popularity of 1.0T engines in Malaysia Perodua Ativa, Nissan Almera, Proton X50 is not coincidental. These engines produce power comparable to naturally aspirated 1.4L or 1.6L engines while remaining under 1,000cc for road tax purposes. The Ativa’s 999cc engine pays RM 20 per year while delivering 98 PS the same road tax rate as an EV.
The 2,500cc Boundary RM 880 vs Progressive Increases
At 2,500cc, the flat bracket system ends and each additional CC costs RM 2.50 more annually. For buyers in the 2,500–3,000cc range larger SUVs, pickup trucks this progressive formula pushes road tax significantly higher than many buyers expect. The Toyota Fortuner 2.7 at RM 1,365/year is a number that surprises buyers who only looked at the instalment when deciding on the purchase.
Part 6: How to Renew Your Road Tax in 2026
Physical Stickers Are Gone
Physical road tax stickers were abolished from February 2026. There is no longer a sticker to display on your windscreen. Road tax status is verified digitally by enforcement agencies using licence plate scanning.
How to Renew
Option 1 MyJPJ app (recommended) The official JPJ app allows you to check your road tax expiry, view your digital road tax, and renew directly. JPJ has integrated the new EV road tax structure into its digital ecosystem.
Option 2 MyEG online portal myeg.com.my allows renewal of both road tax and insurance simultaneously. Useful if your insurance is also expiring around the same time.
Option 3 Pos Malaysia online or physical counters Still available at post offices nationwide if you prefer in-person renewal.
Option 4 Insurance company portals Many insurers allow combined insurance and road tax renewal through their own platforms.
What You Need to Renew
- Valid comprehensive or third-party insurance policy (or cover note)
- Your vehicle registration number
- Payment method (FPX, debit card, credit card)
JPJ requires an active insurance policy before road tax can be issued. You cannot renew road tax without valid insurance always renew insurance first.
Check Your EV’s kW Rating for Road Tax
You can check the figure in the digital road tax inside the MyJPJ app. The kW rating used for road tax is based on the manufacturer’s specification for total motor output. For EVs with dual motors, it is typically the combined system output.
You can also verify your rate in advance at: public.jpj.gov.my (MySIKAP portal)
Part 7: Smart Decisions Based on Road Tax
For Buyers Currently Choosing Between Variants
The CC cliff to watch: If you’re choosing between a 1,500cc variant and a 1,600cc+ variant of the same model (or comparing models across this boundary), the road tax difference is RM 110 to RM 150 per year not dramatic, but it compounds over 9 years of ownership.
The 1.0T sweet spot: If fuel economy and road tax efficiency are priorities, 1.0T turbocharged engines in cars like the Ativa, Almera, and X50 offer the best of both adequate performance and the lowest possible road tax bracket.
EV road tax is no longer free but remains competitive: At RM 40/year for a BYD Dolphin or RM 160/year for a BYD Atto 3, EV road tax remains substantially lower than most petrol equivalents by vehicle class and price. It is no longer the zero-cost item it was from 2022 to 2025, but the new structure has been deliberately set to remain EV-friendly.
For EV Buyers Motor kW Is Now a Purchase Factor
When comparing two EV options, the kW rating directly affects your annual road tax for the full duration of ownership. A car at 149 kW and one at 151 kW may theoretically sit in different bands worth checking against the JPJ rate table before committing.
Factoring Road Tax Into Your Monthly Budget
The simple formula: divide your annual road tax by 12 and add it to your monthly car budget as a fixed item. This prevents the annual renewal from catching you off guard.
For a comprehensive monthly cost calculation that includes road tax, insurance, maintenance, and loan instalment for any car in our database:
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Road Tax Quick Reference 2026 Summary
Petrol/Diesel/Hybrid cars: CC-based brackets, unchanged. Peninsular and Sabah/Sarawak have different rates. Hybrid cars use the same CC-based formula as petrol not the EV kW structure.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV): New kW-based structure from 1 January 2026. Minimum RM 20/year (≤50 kW). Maximum capped at RM 20,000. Uniform rate across all states no East Malaysia discount.
PHEVs: Still taxed on petrol engine CC under the standard ICE formula.
Road tax stickers: Abolished from February 2026. Renewal and verification is now entirely digital through MyJPJ.
Renewal requirement: Valid insurance policy must be in place before road tax can be issued.
Road tax rates are based on JPJ official schedules effective 2026. EV kW-based rates sourced from official JPJ LKM ZEV 2026 schedule as reported by Malay Mail, Carlist.my, and motorist.my. ICE rates are standard JPJ brackets applicable to private passenger vehicles in Peninsular Malaysia Sabah and Sarawak rates differ. Verify your exact rate through the MyJPJ app or public.jpj.gov.my before renewal. This article is for general information only.