Regional offices of Shell and Porsche have announced a partnership to establish a network of high performance charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) that will enable road trips between Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with travelling times comparable to conventional cars.
Shell is planning to have the high-speed charging points at these five Shell stations located along the North-South Expressway (PLUS)- Seremban (two locations), Tangkak, Simpang Pulai and Tapah. The completion of three charging points at PLUS’ Rest and Service Areas (R&R) is scheduled for the end of this year, with the latter two in the northern region to be operational by the first half of 2022.
The sixth location will be a Shell station in Jalan Ayer Hitam, Johor and is expected to go on-line by the second half of this year.
All charging points will have a 180 kW high-performance direct-current (DC) charger (HPC) with two CCS Type 2 connectors, allowing a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge simultaneously at up to 90 kW each.
The sites will be integrated into the existing Shell charging networks, comprising 18 Shell Recharge 50kW fast charge points at Shell stations and 87 Greenlots public charge points in Singapore, as well as 18 “Reserve + Shell Recharge” charge points in Malaysia.
Furthermore, they will complement the established 175 kW high-performance chargers available at all Porsche Centres in Malaysia, as well as the growing “Porsche Destination Charging” network at selected hotels, airports, sports clubs, and other lifestyle venues.
“The ASEAN markets hold strong potential for Porsche to unlock and we see an opportunity to shape electric mobility in the region. Our high-performance network across Singapore and Malaysia will serve as a lighthouse project for other countries to follow,” says Matthias Becker, Vice President Region Overseas and Emerging Markets of Porsche AG.
The HPCs are equipped to charge the Porsche Taycan from zero to 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes, providing up to 390 km (WLTP test method) of extra travel distance, making it possible to travel from Orchard Road in Singapore to Penang Island with just additional 30 minutes of travel time compared to a vehicle with a petrol engine.
Shell is also offering additional benefits to Porsche customers such as reserving the HPC points in Malaysia in advance using their smartphone app, special rates on the charging service plus preferential prices for food and beverages at the Shell Select shops while you wait for your Taycan to be charged.
Unfortunately, these CCS chargers are not compatible with the Nissan Leaf, as the DC charging connector in the Leaf is CHAdeMO standard that is favoured by Japanese automakers.
The CCS connector, the default connection for European EVs The CHAdeMO connector (left) in the Japanese Nissan Leaf
“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. We have been investing in building EV charging infrastructure to reduce range anxiety for our customers and this initiative is one of many examples of Shell providing solutions catered to our customers’ need for cleaner energy solutions.
“In 2019, we introduced EV charging in Singapore and in 2020, we introduced solar-powered retail stations in Malaysia. Now EV customers across the borders can experience Shell Recharge, and also recharge themselves with drinks and snacks at our Shell Select shops,” said Shell Cluster Managing Director, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore, Mr Shairan Huzani Husain.
In a piece of related news, Porsche’s increased investment into the ASEAN region is said to be taking a huge step forward, as Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry minister gave very specific values of a foreign company that will be setting up an assembly plant, all pointing to Porsche.
