Electric car is the future: Malaysia Prime Minister

Malaysia is committed to reducing carbon emission and fully supports the development of electric cars, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

He said the world had used fossil fuel for over a century to drive economic growth.

"We have prospered and increased global wealth but all this has come at a cost. Carbon emission is affecting the climate.

"Climate changes has brought devastation to all parts of the world. We cannot continue on the same trajectory.

"We need to reduce carbon emission and the electric car is the solution. I truly believe this is the car of the future," he said at the signing of an agreement to host Round Two of the Formula E race on Wednesday.

The agreement was between Putrajaya Corporation and Formula E Malaysia, the exclusive rights holder for the FIA Formula E championship race in Asia.

Putrajaya Corporation was represented by its president Aseh Che Mat while Formula E Malaysia was represented by its chairman Johann Young.

Putrajaya will host the race on Oct 18 next year, after Round One in Beijing on September 13.

Formula E is a new FIA championship featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electricity. For the inaugural season, all 10 teams, each with two drivers, will compete using the new Spark-Renault SRT 01E car.

"So this race is about introducing change. It will make people believe that if you can have a Formula E car racing at top speed above 200kph, then there is no reason not to believe that the electric car will be the car of the future."

On Putrajaya being the host, Najib hopes that the race would make the administrative capital better known throughout the world.

"I believe you (organisers) will have global television time, which means the cars will be racing with all the government buildings in Putrajaya as the backdrop.

"That can only be good for Malaysia as next year is Visit Malaysia Year.

"So come October next year, do make yourself free so we can support this event and we can show to the world that Malaysia will be at the forefront in supporting the development of the car of the future.

"I am sure there will be a lot of excitement. I myself can’t wait to see this event," he said.

The Star