Behrang, Perak, Malaysia – 17 October 2023
– PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) and clean energy solutions provider
Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), via its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd (Gentari Green Mobility) have
launched the Electric Vehicles (EV) Fast Charging Modular and
Portable Station with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), at the
Behrang Lay-by (Northbound).
The launching event today
was graced by Malaysia’s Minister of Works, YB Dato Sri
Alexander Nanta Linggi, accompanied by the Secretary-General of
the Ministry of Works, YBhg. Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad. Also
present were the PLUS Chairman, Dato’ Mohamad Nasir Ab
Latif, UEM Group Managing Director and PLUS Board Member,
Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, PLUS Managing Director Datuk Nik
Airina Nik Jaffar and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gentari and
Chief Executive Officer, Gentari Green Mobility, Shah Yang Razalli
and Managing Director EV Connection, Ir Lee Yuen How.
Dato
Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, “The collaboration between
PLUS and Gentari, is a significant joint effort that can harness
the unique strengths of each organisation to support an
environmentally friendly transportation system, creating a more
conducive environment for the use of eco-friendly vehicles. At the
Ministry, we are committed to achieving Malaysia’s
sustainability goals, and I believe that this collaboration will
play a crucial role in inspiring the people of Malaysia to support
low-carbon transportation solutions, in line with the objectives
outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12), the Malaysia Green
Technology Master Plan (GTMP), and the Low Carbon Mobility
Development Plan (LCMB).”
PLUS Managing
Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar highlighted, “As
Malaysia’s largest highway operator and a national
strategic partner, PLUS committed to support and contribute to the
national sustainability agenda. We collaborated with the Ministry
of Works, Malaysian Highway Authority and key industry players to
establish an infrastructural development of EV charging station
roadmap whereby we aim to facilitate the installation of 100 DCFC
EV charging stations across our highways by 2025. This creates an
ecosystem that is conducive for the rakyat to transition into EV.
Our partnership with Gentari is one of our strategic plans to
accelerate the provision of reliable EV charging facilities,
catalysing the successful implementation of national blueprints
and plans in supporting Malaysia to transition into a carbon
neutral country by 2050.”
The integrated
chargers for public use, which combine the use of solar panels and
BESS, are the first of its kind to be set up in the country. The
rollout will be conducted in phases in 2023 and 2024, starting
with four lay-bys along PLUS highways. Each site will have a DC
charging power up to 200 kW, and four charging points will be set
up per location. The proposed four sites are Behrang Lay-by
(Northbound and Southbound) in Perak and Senawang Lay-by
(Northbound and Southbound) in Negeri Sembilan. Three more
locations will be proposed at Ajil (Northbound and Southbound),
and Perasing Rest and Service Area (R&R) sites, all on
Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2) in Terengganu.
In
addition, the Alternating Current (AC) charging points at existing
PETRONAS petrol stations at PLUS’ R&Rs and lay-bys are
being upgraded to Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) points.
Gentari will also develop DCFC charging points at additional
PETRONAS petrol stations along PLUS highways and nearby locations,
targeted for full completion by 2024.
This initiative
is also part of the strategic highway planning to provide range
confidence to EV users travelling interstate.
Deputy
Chief Executive Officer, Gentari, and Chief Executive Officer,
Gentari Green Mobility, Shah Yang Razalli, commented, “This
partnership with PLUS and the Malaysian Highway Authority
represents a significant step forward in our efforts to boost the
growth of the EV ecosystem in Malaysia while prioritising the
needs of our customers. PLUS, as a prominent highway operator in
Malaysia, plays a crucial role in enhancing the infrastructure and
facilities that Malaysian drivers rely on. This, in turn, will
increase range confidence and the desire to adopt EVs. Gentari and
our partner, EV Connection Sdn Bhd (EVC), are excited about this
collaboration to introduce the EV Fast Charging Modular and
Portable Station. The pioneering initiative combines the
innovative use of BESS and solar-powered energy, and we look
forward to making greater strides together towards a more
sustainable future.”
To date, since its
introduction in June 2022, Gentari has deployed over 180 charging
points in Malaysia and over 160 charging points in India, through
its affiliated entities. With a mission to be Asia
Pacific’s most valued clean energy solutions partner by
2030, Gentari aims to capture over 10% market share of charge
points and Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) offerings, across key
markets in Asia Pacific.