By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The whisper-quiet hum of an electric vehicle (EV) gliding across Malaysian roads signals far more than a revolution in modern mobility – behind every steering wheel is an evolving workforce spearheading a new era of automotive technology.
From managing complex high-voltage systems and diagnosing intricate electronic faults to mastering battery technology and technical safety, the skills required to keep an EV moving are increasingly different from those traditionally associated with conventional vehicles.
As EV adoption accelerates, Malaysia’s automotive industry faces the challenge of ensuring its capabilities evolve alongside the growing number of vehicles, creating demand not simply for more technicians, but for professionals equipped with a new combination of skills suited to advanced vehicle technologies.
In a statement today, PRO-NET chief executive officer Zhang Qiang said Malaysia’s EV transition cannot be measured by vehicle adoption alone, as the human capital and technical capabilities supporting the industry have to develop at the same pace. (PRO-NET is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PROTON Holdings Bhd.)
“As Proton e.MAS grows, we have to grow the capabilities behind the (EV) brand at the same time. That means developing our existing workforce, creating opportunities for new talent and ensuring the skills we build are relevant to what the industry actually needs,” he said.
The demand for such skills comes as Malaysia’s EV market continues to expand, with 47,508 EVs registered between January and August this year, surpassing the 44,813 units recorded for the whole of 2025, according to Road Transport Department (JPJ) data.
Proton e.MAS was a major contributor to that acceleration, accounting for approximately 61 per cent of Malaysia’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in August 2026.
Zhang said in response to the growing demand, PRO-NET, which drove the Proton e.MAS brand, was investing in EV after-sales capabilities while collaborating with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) and TVET MARA to upskill technicians and service advisors through structured training, practical exposure and certification.
He said developing EV technicians required a different approach from conventional automotive training because, unlike traditional servicing centred on mechanical systems, EV technology demands a distinct set of competencies in electrical systems, high-voltage components, charging systems and drive motors.
“Safety is also a critical part of this training. Technicians working on EVs are exposed to high-voltage systems, which means they must be trained to follow stringent safety procedures and use specialised tools and equipment designed specifically for EV maintenance and diagnostics.
“This is why investment in training is so important. It is not simply about teaching technicians to service a new type of vehicle, but about developing an entirely new level of technical capability to ensure they can diagnose, maintain and repair EVs safely and competently as the technology becomes more widely adopted,” he said.
The e.MAS Certified Technician Programme (e.CTP) focuses on EV maintenance, diagnostics and high-voltage systems, while the e.MAS Certified Service Advisor Programme (e.CSA) developes knowledge in EV products, servicing and technical matters to help frontline personnel better assist customers.
“The collaboration with MARA and TVET MARA also provides hands-on training, on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships and technical exposure, aimed at equipping new talent with both formal qualifications and practical, job-ready skills,” he said.
As more EVs hit the road, comprehensive after-sales readiness became essential, requiring specialised diagnostics, servicing and technical capabilities to support owners as the technology is more widely adopted.
Marking a major milestone in August this year, 37 technicians from 25 authorised Proton e.MAS dealerships achieved Level 2 EV certification with TVET MARA after completing seven modules, including high-voltage system training, followed by independent theoretical and practical assessments.
This talent development initiative coincides with the rapid expansion of the Proton e.MAS after-sales footprint, which spans 60 dealerships nationwide, including 46 authorised service centres and 10 body and paint facilities fully equipped with EV diagnostic capabilities and specialised equipment.
“The network is also supported by 98.8 per cent availability of common Proton e.MAS spare parts, 24/7 roadside assistance, and over-the-air updates for selected vehicle improvements,” he said.
Beyond training and certification, the inaugural e.MAS Electrified Excellence Competition 2026, held from Sept 1 to Oct 15, provides another platform to assess the practical capabilities of technicians and service advisors from 45 Proton e.MAS dealerships nationwide.
Participants are assessed through practical challenges based on actual servicing and customer situations, with technical competency, diagnostics, servicing and customer consultation among the areas covered.
Zhang said such initiatives are important because EV workforce development has to extend beyond classroom knowledge and certification to include the ability to apply technical skills confidently in real-world situations.
“At the wider industry level, the development of EV-ready talent is in line with Malaysia’s push towards higher-value and technology-intensive industries under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), which identifies talent development as a key enabler of the country’s industrial transformation.
“As EVs become an increasingly familiar sight on Malaysian roads, the transition will therefore require more than growing vehicle numbers. It will require a skilled workforce capable of safely servicing, maintaining and supporting increasingly sophisticated vehicle technology for years to come,” he said.
-- BERNAMA