Some Southeast Asian countries have set ambitious targets for EV adoption, but they still have a ways to go to convince consumers. © Illustration by Hiroko Oshima

Slow charge: ASEAN aims to bring lofty EV goals within range

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DYLAN LOH and ERI SUGIURA, Nikkei staff writers

September 21, 2021 06:00 JST

SINGAPORE/TOKYO -- Before COVID-19 largely shut borders in Southeast Asia, Singapore resident Kin Wong would take weekly drives to Malaysia in his BMW M3.

The 40-year-old avid motorist is thinking about giving up the gas-thirsty convertible for a more environment-friendly electric vehicle. But he is hesitating, and not because of the BMW engine's satisfying rumble.