Malaysian expressway service provider PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) has partnered clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd to launch the electric vehicles (EV) fast charging modular and portable station with battery energy storage system (BESS), at the Behrang Lay-by (Northbound).

Gentari said in a statement that the launch was conducted by its wholly-owned subsidiary Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd.

According to the statement, 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.

Malaysia’s Minister of Works Alexander Nanta Linggi said the collaboration between PLUS and Gentari, is a significant joint effort that can harness the unique strengths of each organization 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),” he said.

PLUS Managing Director Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said that as Malaysia’s largest highway operator and a national strategic partner, PLUS committed to support and contribute to the national sustainability agenda.

According to him, the firm collaborated with the Ministry of Works, Malaysian Highway Authority and key industry players to establish an infrastructural development of EV charging station roadmap whereby it aims to facilitate the installation of 100 DCFC EV charging stations across our highways by 2025.

“This creates an ecosystem that is conducive for the Malaysians to transition into EV,
“Our partnership with Gentari is one of our strategic plans to accelerate the provision of reliable EV charging facilities, catalyzing the successful implementation of national blueprints and plans in supporting Malaysia to transition into a carbon neutral country by 2050,” he added.

Gentari Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Gentari Green Mobility Chief Executive Officer Shah Yang Razalli said that this partnership with PLUS and the Malaysian Highway Authority represents a significant step forward in their efforts to boost the growth of the EV ecosystem in Malaysia while prioritizing 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,” he said, adding that Gentari and its partner, EV Connection Sdn Bhd (EVC), are excited about this collaboration to introduce the EV Fast Charging Modular and Portable Station.
He also said the pioneering initiative combines the innovative use of BESS and solar-powered energy, and the firm looks 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 percent market share of charge points and vehicle-as-a-service (VaaS) offerings, across key markets in Asia Pacific.

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