Decarbonizing ASEAN'S Transport Sector: A Critical Review of Electric Vehicle and Biofuel Policy Pathways

ABSTRACT The ASEAN region faces mounting pressure to decarbonize its transport sector amid rising energy demand, urbanization, and climate commitments. Road transport dominates ASEAN energy use and emissions; in 2022 oil supplied 91.2% of transport energy and the sector produced 18.5% of total GHGs. This review synthesizes electric vehicle (EV) and biofuel policies across ASEAN member states using primary government sources, peer‐reviewed literature, national strategies, and global assessments. The scope is road transport, covering both passenger and freight segments, with outcomes reported for 2022–2025. We identify policy instruments, infrastructure readiness, and deployment patterns, and assess synergies and constraints in the dual transition to e‐mobility and sustainable biofuels. Key findings include heterogeneous progress: Thailand leads EV car uptake; Singapore shows the highest availability per car (charging points); and two‐wheeler‐dominant markets require adjusted denominators. On biofuels, Indonesia's B35 underpins large‐scale biodiesel production, Malaysia lacks a fuel ethanol market, the Philippines sustains E10 with imports, and Viet Nam is preparing E10 blending. We propose a structured policy framework tailored to diverse national contexts, emphasizing coordinated regional strategies, public–private collaboration, and long‐term investment. By consolidating policy detail and recent outcomes, the review supports a clearer, evidence‐based gap analysis and provides practical guidance for scaling sustainable transport across ASEAN. This article is categorized under: Cities and Transportation > Electric Mobility Sustainable Development > Sustainable Development Goals