Malaysia’s largest highway concessionaire – PLUS, has collaborated with clean energy solutions provider – Gentari, along with its partner, EV Connection (EVC) to launch the new Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Modular and Portable Station at the Behrang Lay-by (Northbound).
Being Malaysia’s first EV modular portable fast charging station, it features a total of four 800V CCS2 chargers for public use and is able to charge at a maximum rate of 200 kW. Gentari has also mentioned that the charging station in Behrang has been set up at a record time of less than a month.
However, this won’t be the only Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) station Gentari will be setting up on PLUS’ highways. There will be more charging stations to be set up on PLUS’ North-South Expressway, featuring four charging points each, and will provide charging rates of up to 200 kW.
The rollout will be conducted in phases in 2023 and 2024, starting with four lay-bys along PLUS highways. This includes the Behrang Lay-by (Northbound and Southbound) in Perak, as well as the 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.
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In addition, the Alternating Current (AC) charging points at existing Petronas petrol stations at PLUS’ R&Rs and lay-bys are being upgraded to DCFC points. Gentari will also develop DCFC charging points at additional Petronas petrol stations along PLUS highways and nearby locations, which are aimed to be completed by 2024.
The chargers are also the first in the country to be powered by both Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and solar panels. As mentioned, the chargers are modular and portable. Therefore they can be deployed to various locations during peak seasons such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Chinese New Year, where many Malaysians will travel across the country.
The portable chargers can then help provide EV drivers with quick top-ups to make their long-distance journeys an easier one.
Besides making it easier to travel up north with an EV, This initiative is aimed to encourage more Malaysians to migrate from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered cars to EVs and simultaneously contributes towards realising Malaysia’s Low Carbon Aspiration by 2050. The move is also in line with the government’s plan to expand the number of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the country.
The launch event was graced by Malaysia’s Minister of Works, YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who was accompanied by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Works, YBhg. Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad.
Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, “The collaboration between PLUS and Gentari, is a significant joint effort that can harness the unique strengths of each organisation to support an environmentally friendly transportation system, creating a more conducive environment.”
GALLERY
