EV taxis are coming to Malaysia thanks to TNB partnership with TeksiKu

You might see electric taxis running around soon, with Tenaga Nasional (TNB) reportedly set to deploy 1,000 units through a partnership with Mysuri Biz Technologies. The latter, a Cyberjaya-based platform service provider, will offer rides in these zero-emission vehicles through its TeksiKu service, according to paultan.org.

The company’s CEO Mohd Noor Ghazali told the publication that it will begin operating these electric vehicles in November, initially covering Klang Valley and Langkawi. This is broadly in line with plans that were divulged by Minister of Environment and Water (KASA) Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who said the government was looking to build up an EV infrastructure in Langkawi first, due to the island’s smaller size making it easier to do so.

Ghazali added that the taxis are meant to “transform” Malaysia’s public transport system and enable taxi drivers to adopt new technologies without shelling out a sizeable investment. The Koperasi Jurupandu TeksiKu will allow operators to lease the vehicles, he said.

The initial fleet will be comprised of MG ZS EV crossovers in a striking New York taxi-style yellow livery (to distinguish them from the regular red taxis), although TNB and Mysuri intend to eventually bring in the Chinese-made BYD e6 MPV. The deal for that, however, is still being discussed, Ghazali said.

Interestingly, the app used to hail TeksiKu isn’t called TeksiKu, but Aladdin My, which also offers delivery services and, judging by the website, plenty of others besides. Mysuri also plans to set up electronic kiosks in strategic areas such as airports and train stations to enable those without the app to hail an electric cab.

The ZS EV, in case you were wondering, comes from the British brand MG, now owned by China’s SAIC. It’s powered by a single front motor producing up to 174hp and 280Nm of torque, while a battery capacity of up to 72.6kWh provides a range of as much as 440km.

The MG brand was originally supposed to be brought in by Berjaya using Thai-built vehicles back in 2020, before the deal reportedly fell though. The company is apparently still working with another unnamed local partner, however.

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