eMas 5 Doubles to 4,770 in Record Malaysia EV Sales
Malaysia EV Sales August 2026: Record 8,833 Registrations, Proton e.MAS 5 Leads with 4,770 Units
The Malaysian electric vehicle (EV) market recorded its highest-ever monthly registrations in August 2026, with 8,833 units registered, according to data from the Road Transport Department (JPJ). The Proton e.MAS 5, a compact electric crossover produced by Proton's EV sub-brand, drove this surge by nearly doubling its sales to 4,770 units, up 98.6% from July's 2,402 registrations. This figure represents more than half of all EVs registered in the month and placed the e.MAS 5 fifth in the overall Malaysian automotive sales chart, making it the only EV to have ever reached the top five.
This record performance addresses a key question for Malaysian consumers: which EV models are gaining traction in the local market, and how does the national carmaker's offering compare against international competitors like Tesla and BYD? The data confirms that the Proton e.MAS 5, priced competitively for the Malaysian compact SUV segment, has become the dominant choice for EV buyers in the country.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Total EV registrations (August 2026) | 8,833 units |
| Month-on-month growth | +27.3% (from 6,937 in July 2026) |
| Year-on-year growth | +155% (from August 2025) |
| EV market share | 11.4% of total Malaysian vehicle market |
| Top seller: Proton e.MAS 5 | 4,770 units (up 98.6% from July) |
| Second place: Tesla Model 3 | 659 units (up from 135 in July) |
| Third place: Proton e.MAS 7 | 613 units (4,004 year-to-date) |
| Fourth place: Tesla Model Y | 507 units (1,978 year-to-date) |
| Data source | JPJ (Road Transport Department Malaysia) |
August 2026 was the largest month in Malaysian EV history, with 8,833 units registered, representing 11.4% of the total vehicle market.
What Drove the Record EV Sales in Malaysia in August 2026?
The record sales were driven primarily by the Proton e.MAS 5, which accounted for 54% of all EV registrations in August 2026. The compact electric crossover's 4,770 units represented a 98.6% increase from July's 2,402 units, demonstrating exceptional month-on-month momentum for the national carmaker's EV lineup.
The Proton e.MAS 5 outsold the runner-up, the Tesla Model 3, by a margin of more than seven to one. The Tesla Model 3 jumped from 11th place in July to second in August with 659 units, up from just 135 the previous month. The Proton e.MAS 7 secured third place with 613 units, while the Tesla Model Y took fourth with 507 units.
"Registrations of the compact electric crossover nearly doubled to 4,770 units, up 98.6% from July's 2,402, according to the latest road transport department (JPJ) data. That is more than half of every EV registered in the month, and the e.MAS 5 is back to fifth in the overall sales chart, matching its January high, as the only EV ever to have made the top five."
— Paul Tan's Automotive News, September 2026
The Proton e.MAS 5 alone accounted for 4,770 of the 8,833 EVs registered in Malaysia in August 2026, more than all other models combined.
How Did the Proton e.MAS 5 Perform in August 2026?
The Proton e.MAS 5 recorded 4,770 registrations in August 2026, a 98.6% increase from July's 2,402 units. This performance placed the compact electric crossover fifth in the overall Malaysian vehicle sales chart, matching its January 2026 high and marking it as the only EV ever to break into the top five of the national sales ranking.
The model's dominance is evident in its sales ratio: it outsold the second-place Tesla Model 3 by more than seven to one. The e.MAS 5's year-to-date performance, combined with the e.MAS 7's 4,004 units, positions Proton as a leading force in Malaysia's EV transition, competing directly with established international brands like Tesla and BYD.
The Proton e.MAS 5's 4,770 August registrations represented a 98.6% month-on-month increase and made it the only EV to ever rank in Malaysia's overall top five sales chart.
Which EV Models Ranked in the Top 20 for August 2026?
The top 20 EV rankings for August 2026 show a diverse competitive landscape, with Chinese brands and Tesla challenging Proton's leadership. The Zeekr 7X took fifth place with 308 units, followed by the iCaur V23 in sixth with 264 units, while the BYD Atto 3 tumbled from second to seventh with 252 units, a decline of more than half from the previous month.
The complete top 20 list includes:
- 1st: Proton e.MAS 5 — 4,770 units
- 2nd: Tesla Model 3 — 659 units
- 3rd: Proton e.MAS 7 — 613 units
- 4th: Tesla Model Y — 507 units
- 5th: Zeekr 7X — 308 units
- 6th: iCaur V23 — 264 units
- 7th: BYD Atto 3 — 252 units
- 8th: iCaur 03 — 142 units
- 9th: Leapmotor C10 — 125 units
- 10th: BYD Sealion — 118 units
- 11th: Leapmotor B10 — 94 units
- 12th: BYD Seal 6 — 84 units
- 13th: BYD Atto 2 — 81 units
- 14th: Xpeng X9 — 72 units
- 15th: TQ Wuling Bingo — 71 units
- 16th: MG S5 — 67 units
- 17th: Zeekr X — 59 units
- 18th: Perodua QV-E — 56 units
- 19th: BMW iX3 — 55 units
- 20th: Great Wall Ora — 41 units
BYD experienced a significant decline in August 2026, with the Atto 3 falling from second to seventh place as registrations more than halved to 252 units.
Who Is This For in Malaysia?
This sales data is essential for Malaysian consumers evaluating EV options, particularly those considering compact crossovers suitable for urban environments like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The Proton e.MAS 5's dominance suggests strong demand for locally-produced EVs that offer competitive pricing, established service networks, and compatibility with Malaysia's 240V power standard and UK-style charging infrastructure.
For Malaysian buyers, the data indicates that the Proton e.MAS 5 has become the default choice in the compact EV crossover segment, appealing to those seeking a practical, affordable alternative to imported models. The strong performance of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y also confirms sustained demand for premium EVs among higher-income households, while the presence of Chinese brands like BYD, Zeekr, and Leapmotor reflects the growing variety of options available in the Malaysian market.
Malaysian consumers seeking a compact EV crossover with national carmaker support and competitive pricing will find the Proton e.MAS 5 the most popular choice, with 4,770 units registered in August 2026 alone.
Common Questions
Why did the Proton e.MAS 5 sales double in August 2026?
The Proton e.MAS 5 registrations increased by 98.6% to 4,770 units in August 2026, up from 2,402 in July. This surge likely reflects increased production capacity, delivery of backlogged orders, and strong consumer demand for a competitively-priced national EV crossover in Malaysia.
How did the Tesla Model 3 rise to second place in August 2026?
The Tesla Model 3 jumped from 11th to second place with 659 registrations in August 2026, up from just 135 in July. This nearly fivefold increase suggests a significant delivery batch or promotional push for the popular electric sedan in Malaysia.
What was the total EV market share in Malaysia for August 2026?
EVs accounted for 11.4% of the total Malaysian vehicle market in August 2026, with 8,833 units registered. This represented a 27.3% increase from July's 6,937 units and a 155% increase compared to August 2025, setting a new monthly record.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based exclusively on data published by Paul Tan's Automotive News on 10 September 2026, which sourced its information from the Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ). The original article is titled "Malaysia EV car sales in August 2026 – eMas 5 doubles to 4,770 in a record month, Tesla Model 3 leaps to second" and is available at paultan.org.
All figures are presented as reported in the source material. No currency conversions were required as the source did not list vehicle prices. The data reflects JPJ registration statistics, which track new-vehicle registrations in Malaysia. This article was last updated on 10 September 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the JPJ data as reported by Paul Tan's Automotive News.