The first half of 2026 has seen a period of heightened volatility in global oil prices. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to the average price at the pump in the US soaring to US$4.55 per gallon in May, up roughly 42% from a year earlier. In Malaysia, its diesel subsidy bill jumped from RM700 million a month in January to RM4 billion in April, as the government aims to shield consumers from the worst of the price hikes.
The outbreak of war in the Middle East has highlighted how exposed businesses can be to disruptions in global energy markets. Oil supply disruptions and rising fuel prices mean that businesses are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical events outside their control.
In order to improve resilience, businesses may look to reduce their dependence on imported fuels by pivoting to alternative energy sources. Sectors like logistics, e-commerce, ride-hailing, and more stand to benefit from electrified fleets, where EVs can help reduce fuel expenses and allow for more predictable operating costs.
Kelle Energy’s mobile EV chargers directly support EV adoption, allowing companies to immediately electrify their fleets without waiting for permanent charging infrastructure to be built out.
Reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices
For businesses that operate vehicle fleets, fuel costs are often one of the largest operating expenses. But unlike other costs, fuel prices can change rapidly and are influenced by factors that businesses have little control over. A conflict thousands of kilometres away can quickly result in higher operating costs for businesses in Malaysia.
EVs offer an alternative — part of a broader risk management strategy to buffer against geopolitical tensions.
While electricity prices are not completely immune to shocks in global energy markets, they tend to be significantly more stable than petrol and diesel prices. Electricity tariffs are generally adjusted via regulatory processes and are influenced by a broader mix of energy sources than a single commodity such as oil.
The economics of electrification
Electric vehicles can offer significant cost savings over their internal combustion engine counterparts
Beyond energy security, EVs can also offer cost savings. In April, the difference in costs between EVs and petrol and diesel cars made a strong case for leaving combustion vehicles behind.
- Petrol car on subsidised RON95 (RM1.99/litre): About RM15.30 per 100km
- Petrol car on unsubsidised RON95 (RM3.87/litre): About RM29.80/100km
- Diesel car (RM6.02/litre): About RM36.10/100km
- EV (home charging): About RM7.65/100km
- EV (public charger): About RM15/100km
These cost differences can eventually also add up to significant savings for in-house vehicle fleets.
Expanding charging infrastructure
While businesses may be interested in electrification, charging infrastructure remains one of the biggest barriers to adoption.
Limited charging ability, grid constraints, and long lead times for charging infrastructure deployment can hinder the adoption of EVs in fleets. Without reliable access to charging, businesses may struggle to fully realise the benefits and savings of EV adoption.
With the ability to be deployed where demand is, Kelle Energy’s mobile chargers can help businesses bolster their charging facilities — without needing to depend on or wait for fixed chargers to be installed.
Its mobile chargers with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are not dependent on the grid and can be deployed more quickly and relocated as demand changes. Electrification can help businesses reduce exposure to external risks while improving long-term cost stability.
By driving EV adoption, mobile charging can also play a role in supporting energy resilience and business continuity in the years ahead.
