Malaysia’s EV infrastructure gets a boost with a plan to build 1,000 DC charging stations by 2025

Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and the Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia (PEKEMA) have just announced a collaboration that entails bringing EV infrastructure to Malaysia. They plan to do this by setting up a network of 1,000 DC charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025.

This plan of building an EV network will encompass many aspects including e-payment, battery management systems and service centre networks. These are adjacent projects that will expand the network into something more developed and technologically advanced.

Along with the EV network, MARii and PEKEMA are also setting up an EV Centre of Excellence (COE). This will be a centre that will ensure the integration of the EV network and just coordinate the project as a whole.

The statement further clarifies, “The COE will also operate as a focal point for aftersales service support as well as implementing training, repairs, warranties, consultation, communication, marketing and coordination of strategic collaborations in EV-related areas.”

COE will join MARii’s many existing facilities that deal with design, simulation & analysis, emission testing, and more. As MARii deals with automotive technology, adding EV into their portfolio makes sense as they already have the resources and engineers to deal with the project.

Earlier this year, there was news concerning MARii as their CEO announced of possible “handsome” tax incentives for EV. These incentives will comprise of excise and import duties as well as sales tax. This will affect the EV COE project in a positive way as getting an electric vehicle would be much more accessible with the tax cuts.

For PEKEMA, they see it as an opportunity to open up new jobs in all levels. The infrastructure development will provide more jobs concerning technical skills, while the after-sales service centers will provide jobs in that industry. Meanwhile, MARii sees this project more as a stepping stone toward nationwide electrification for both consumers and the industry.

According to PEKEMA’s president, Datuk Zainuddin Abdul Rahman, there have been 11 stations built this year so far, and he wants to accelerate the adoption of green renewable energy.

“I believe that this MoA will expedite the areas of collaboration between PEKEMA and MARii, and also generate new collaboration areas that bring prosperous impact and benefits in the era of environmental friendliness,” he said.

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