Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd announced Friday that it has agreed to acquire 50 percent shareholding in Pixelbyte Sdn Bhd, the company operating ParkEasy – a mobile application software that not only lets drivers park quickly in shopping malls and other locations, but also the only service in Malaysia to offer a pre-booked slot for electric vehicle (EV) charging.

This investment will be Shell’s first investment in a local Malaysian tech start up, and gives Shell an immediate path to an established parking and e-mobility platform in Southeast Asia, Shell said in a statement.

“Decarbonising mobility and enabling better services to our customers through digital innovation are core to our Powering Progress strategy. We intend to make investments that will help us serve our customers better through the energy transition and pressures of modern living. We value this opportunity to partner with a young Malaysian start-up, and believe our combined strength will help us develop superior mobility products and services for our customers,” said Seow Lee Ming, Shell’s General Manager Mobility.

According to the statement, ParkEasy will continue to operate under its existing management and name. Over the last three years, ParkEasy has grown its business from a parking reservation app to include other offerings such as sales of its proprietary smart parking solutions and electric vehicle charging bay management systems.

“At ParkEasy, we continually look for new, easier ways for people to enjoy an upgraded parking experience. We are excited to have Shell as a partner, especially as they support our vision and belief that people should always utilize their most valuable resource, time, on the things that truly matter to them,” said Warren Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Pixelbyte.

The deal is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2022.

Established in 2014, ParkEasy (Pixelbyte Sdn Bhd) is a leading Malaysian smart mobility solutions provider. With the belief that everyone should be empowered to focus on the things that truly matter to them, it is best known for their on-demand car park reservation service that allows users to book guaranteed parking spots. With over 150,000 reservations to date, it has returned their many customers precious time that would have otherwise been wasted in frustration.

In-line with the global adoption of electric vehicles, many of ParkEasy’s bays are now also equipped with EV chargers, making it not only Malaysia’s largest car park reservation service, but also Malaysia’s largest privately-owned EV charging network. Beyond the app, it often works on custom smart mobility solutions for enterprises, notable projects include a brand loyalty parking service, an attendance-based staff parking system, and VIP event parking.

Pixelbyte was co-founded by Warren Chan, Eric Tan and Winnie Mah in 2014. Early investors include Kumpulan Modal Perdana, Cradle Fund and 1337 Ventures.

Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment. Malaysia is one of Shell’s heartlands.

The history of Shell in Malaysia started about 130 years ago. Shell currently has a strong market presence in the upstream, gas-to-liquids, downstream and business operations sectors in Malaysia. The company is also driven towards contributing to the local talent pipeline, while playing its part in contributing towards the communities and the society through its various flagship social investment.

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