Malaysia’s largest fund manager Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), in collaboration with Malaysian clean energy company Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), have on Monday launched its first Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers at Hotel Perdana Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

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, both parties said in a statement.

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

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.

“The deployment of EV chargers will cover the offices, hotels and resorts, golf club and shopping malls under the PNB Group,

“Our next deployment will be in Villea Rompin Resort and 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,” said Rick Ramli, PNB Chief Investment Officer, Private and Strategic Investments.

According to him, this initiative is aligned with PNB’s Sustainability Framework Commitment #2 to drive decarbonization effort in its 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.

Gentari’s Chief Operating Officer for Green Mobility Haikal Zubir said:” 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,” he added.

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 April 21, 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.

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