Gentari | Putting Clean Energy Into Action

Apr 10, 2023

PNB Collaborates with Gentari to Deploy 59 EV Chargers

First EV chargers installed in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, to be operational 24 hours

Kota Bharu, 9 April 2023: Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), in collaboration with Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) today launched its first Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The chargers consist of two units of 11kW and 22kW alternating current (AC) chargers, and one unit of 60kW direct current (DC) fast charger, equipped with two charging points.

The chargers are the first for PNB Group and the first in Kelantan that operates 24 hours, for the convenience of EV drivers.

Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu residents can charge their EVs with ease as they enjoy their stay. In addition, walk-in guests can also conveniently use the EV chargers as they enjoy the hotel’s facilities, including dining at Cerana and Jade restaurants while waiting for their vehicles to charge. In conjunction with the launching, Perdana Kota Bharu will give a complimentary cup of coffee and croissant to EV users who charge their vehicle at the hotel. The promotion starts today and lasts for two months.

PNB has partnered with clean energy solutions provider Gentari via its wholly owned subsidiary, Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd, to install a total of 59 units of EV Chargers at 18 PNB Group properties. The installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

PNB Chief Investment Officer, Private and Strategic Investments, Rick Ramli said during the launching event, “The deployment of EV chargers will cover the offices, hotels & resorts, golf club and shopping malls under the PNB Group. Our next deployment will be in Villea Rompin Resort & Golf in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, Plaza Pelangi, Pelangi Leisure Mall and Perling Mall in Johor Bahru, Johor, Menara PNB in Kuala Lumpur and 12 other properties.”

“This initiative is aligned with PNB’s Sustainability Framework Commitment #2 to drive decarbonisation effort in our portfolio and will support the EV ecosystem under Malaysian Government’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021 – 2030; a commitment to set up 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2025,” Rick Ramli elaborated.

Gentari’s Chief Operating Officer for Green Mobility, Haikal Zubir commented, “We are pleased to have a like-minded partner in PNB with us on the journey towards sustainable mobility. This partnership will see us providing necessary infrastructure at their properties to support the needs of electric vehicle drivers, starting with Perdana Kota Bharu, Kelantan. This also signifies the expansion of our charging infrastructure footprint to the East Coast region that will boost range confidence of interstate travelers.”

Since its inception in 1978, PNB has been a trusted custodian of Malaysian wealth and assets, and holds the responsibility to lead and facilitate change, to ensure an orderly and just transition towards a sustainable economy. 

PNB launched the PNB Sustainability Framework on 21 April 2022, which outlines 10 commitments for PNB’s own operations as well as for its investments under the three pillars of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). The framework helps PNB to remain focused in response to a changing global investment landscape, where PNB aims to be a net zero enterprise by 2025, with a net zero portfolio by 2050, working together with its investee companies in support of Malaysia’s net zero carbon emission target.

The deployment of EV Chargers in PNB Group’s properties is one of the initiatives under the ‘Environment’ pillar of the Sustainability Framework, in supporting the transition towards a green economy.