Whether we petrol heads like it or not, the future of the automobile is electric. Here in Malaysia, the electric vehicle (EV) race has kicked off with models from Hyundai, BMW, Kia, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Mini and not to mention Volvo which is locally assembling its EV models. There are also more affordable EV options from China such as the Ora Good Cat and the BYD Atto 3.
If you’re one of those people who took advantage of the EV incentives from the government and became a proud owner of one, congratulations! Now, one of the biggest challenges that come with owning an EV in Malaysia is finding a public charger when you’re out and about.
But back 2022, we saw more EV chargers being deployed by various providers like ChargEV, Shell Recharge, Gentari and Go To-U to name a few with other newer players who are doing their part to expand the public charging network.
Therefore, here is a list of EV charging apps that you will need if you’re planning on charging your EV on the road. Which app works for you will depend on which manufacturer’s charging network is the most abundant along your daily commute.
You can also download these apps to figure out if there are any public chargers nearby if you’re considering purchasing an EV.
PlugShare
We’ll kick off the list with the must-have app for any EV owners and that is the community-based app, PlugShare. Think of it as FourSquare for EV chargers. Users can contribute locations of EV chargers, the type of charger, how many are available, and report whether a charger is working or faulty so that other users don’t need to waste time travelling to it.
This makes PlugShare more versatile as it consolidates chargers from all providers into a single super app.
Users can also provide the exact location of the chargers, which comes in handy especially if it is in a car park. For example, if the charger is located at Suria KLCC parking, you can state which level and bay in the description to make it easier for someone with a low battery to find the charger quickly.
Because it’s a community-driven app, you will also find locations of accessible three-pin plug points for emergency use. The app doesn’t come with its own turn-by-turn navigation, but it will redirect you to your default navigation app, so no issues there.
Some downsides are that you cannot pay or activate the EV charging with PlugShare as you will need to download the respective charging network’s app. Moreover, PlugShare cannot tell you if the charger is being used because it is not connected to the charging network.
PlugShare is available on iOS, Apple Watch, Android, and the web. Owners of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric can download the app directly on the infotainment system since it’s running Android Automotive OS.
ChargEV
Malaysia Green Technology Corp (MGTC) currently has the largest network of public charging stations under its ChargEV brand with over 236 locations across the country. At the moment, the number of AC chargers on their network outnumbers DC chargers by quite some margin, but if you need to increase your chances of finding a public charger, then ChargEV is your best option right now.
With the ChargEV app, you can sign up for a membership, search for charging stations, and check if the charger is being used. Once you’ve selected your preferred charging station, the ChargEV app will automatically open your default navigation app to take you there.
Now there are some legacy chargers that are not connected to the network and only work by tapping the physical membership card. But ChargEV’s official Facebook page updated users that these older chargers are being replaced in stages with newer ones that can be activated on the app.
Speaking about the app, the current version doesn’t indicate the lapsed charging time, power consumption, or the current fee when you plug in your EV for charging.
A one-year membership will cost you RM240 and you are free to charge however many times or however long you want. Else, you will need to pay per use which depending on the output of the charger, can cost around RM2 every 10 minutes.
During his review of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Jon encountered issues with the app, mainly that it failed to show that the charging station he was headed to was out of order. You can watch his experience in the video below.
The ChargEV app is available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
JOMCharge
JOMCharge is owned by EV Connection Sdn Bhd and is in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Petronas Dagangan Bhd. Right now, there are a total of 140 chargers on their network with 68 of those being under the JOMCharger brand.
According to the FAQ, each charger has its own respective pricing scheme based on its location, power output and duration. For example, using its 50kW DC charger located at select Caltex stations along the North-South Expressway would cost RM1.20 every minute.
The remaining number of chargers comes from the partnership with Petronas under the Gentari charging network, which aims to deploy 9,000 public chargers around the region mainly in Malaysia and India by 2026. Since the Gentari charging network is also part of JOMCharge, you can pay for using Gentari’s chargers with the JOMCharge app.
At the moment, Gentari’s charging network now spans 12 locations across Peninsular Malaysia including Southeast Asia’s first 350 kW DC fast charger at X Park Sunway Serene, 180kW chargers located at the Pedas-Linggi Northbound lay-by and Gambang Eastbound R&R, and Petronas Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam, 120kW chargers at Bangi Golf Resort, and two 60kW DC chargers and 25 AC chargers at Suria KLCC.
You can check out Alex’s experience with one of Gentari’s DC chargers in his review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Max.
Moreover, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia will be installing 13 DC fast chargers in selected dealerships across Peninsular Malaysia exclusively for their customers. These chargers will be on the JOMCharge network, so if you recently purchased one of Mercedes-Benz’s EQ EVs, this is the app for you.
JOMCharge is available for download on the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play Store.
Setel
Starting off as an app used for refuelling fossil fuels at Petronas stations, it has since been updated to support EV charging as well. Setel taps into the Gentari EV charging network as both companies are owned by Petronas Dagangan Bhd.
Gentari’s charging network spans 12 locations across Peninsular Malaysia including Southeast Asia’s first 350 kW DC fast charger at X Park Sunway Serene, 180kW chargers located at the Pedas-Linggi Northbound lay-by and Gambang Eastbound R&R, and Petronas Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam, 120kW chargers at Bangi Golf Resort, and two 60kW DC chargers and 25 AC chargers at Suria KLCC.
Besides that, you can also search and pay at select JOMCharge chargers thanks to the partnership between EV Connection Sdn Bhd and Petronas Dagangan Bhd.
To search for an EV charger near you, just click the magnifier icon at the top left-hand of the app and select “EV Chargers.” Once you arrive at the location, choose the charger that you want to connect to and start charging. Payment is handled via the Setel app.
It’s also worth noting that Setel is the only app on the list that caters to both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles, making it an ideal app if you have both an ICE and an electric vehicle. Well assuming that you have access to a JOMCharge or Gentari charger.
Moreover, you can also use the app to pay for parking, renew road tax, use it as an eWallet at selected merchants and collect membership rewards in the form of Mesra Points.
Setel is available to download on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery.
ParkEasy
If you’re wondering what a parking app is doing on this list, well, ParkEasy started as a parking reservation system and was acquired by Shell (50% stake) as their EV charging partner.
Among all the charging networks in Malaysia, charging at a Shell charger in Malaysia through the ParkEasy app must be the most complex. Shell offers both AC and DC chargers, but the usage and payment processes for both are completely different.
To use a Shell AC charger, you will need to book the parking bay the charger is located through the ParkEasy app. The advantage is that nobody else can park in the slot as ParkEasy will reserve the bay for you until you arrive. Once parked, you will be charged an hourly fee for the duration of time your car will be parked there. If it’s located in a paid parking zone (e.g. mall or office car park), you’ll have to pay for that parking fee separately. Essentially the same as using the ParkEasy app for booking a normal parking bay. Meanwhile, the Shell AC charger can be used free of charge as it is already included in the hourly fee.
On the other hand, Shell’s DC High Performance Chargers will require you to pay for the charging by the minute. You have the option of pay-per-use or pay slightly cheaper rates if you sign up for a one-year membership called Gold Member. When pay-per-use, you will be charged RM20 for every 5 minutes of charging time including an RM4 booking fee for the bay.
Unlike most charging networks, ParkEasy/Shell Recharge is charging users for EV charging by parking time and not based on the actual charging time. This means your “charging time” begins the moment the barrier on the parking bay goes down. So, your first few minutes are already used up for parking, getting out of the car, getting the cable, plugging it in, and waiting for the charger to start. These DC High Performance Chargers push a maximum output of 180kW and your actual charging rate depends on your EV’s state of charge (battery percentage) and the maximum DC rate that your EV can accept.
To become a Gold Member, you will need to fork out RM835 for a one-year membership. But that doesn’t mean you can use the DC fast charger however much you want within that one-year period. It simply means you are paying for the privilege of using the DC fast charger at cheaper rates and even that has a quota.
For the first 12 hours in the year, you will pay RM12 every 5 minutes for the first 25 minutes, and only RM5 for every 5 minutes thereafter. Should you finish the 12-hour annual quota, you will be charged the standard rate as pay-per-use. To continue using the subsidised rates, you can top-up RM80 for every additional hour. On top of this, you will still need to pay RM4 to reserve a bay.
Besides the reduced charging rates, you also get 10% cashback when you recharge at Shell Recharge AC stations.
Since ParkEasy is not an eWallet, you will need to buy tokens to pay for parking and the DC fast charging. You need to maintain a minimum credit balance of 200 credits (RM200) for pay-per-use and 100 credits (RM100) if you’re a Gold Member before you can reserve a 180kW DC charger.
You can download the ParkEasy app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Go To-U
Go To-U is a global app and Go To-U Malaysia is a subsidiary of Roda Emas Industries (REISB), an EV charging station supplier and developer that has been contracted by TNB, ChargEV and BMW Group Malaysia to install and maintain their chargers since 2018.
Charging rates will vary from one charger to another, but you can easily find out the fee via the app. It’s also worth mentioning that the Go To-U app is not an eWallet and you will need to buy tokens known as MYR-units. Similar to ParkEasy, you can book the charger before arriving at the station but Go To-U lets you reserve up to 7 days in advance which can be convenient during the peak travel season.
Recently, Go To-U Malaysia launched its Malaysian electric vehicle charging hub at RekaScape in Cyberjaya, making us the first country in the region to carry the branding of the California-based EV charging solutions provider. You can read the full coverage by Jonathan for more details.
Go To-U is available to download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
ChargeN’Go
You may not have heard of ChargeN’Go and to be frank, neither did I prior to writing this list. But it’s not surprising given the minuscule number of chargers on this local electric vehicle charging services provider’s network which is a total of 13 stations and all of them are in Kuala Lumpur.
If you live close to a ChargeN’Go charger, then this app might be worth considering. Charging rates vary from charger to charger and unlike some of the apps on this list that make you buy digital tokens to pay for the charging, ChargeN’Go deducts directly from a linked credit card.
You can check out the app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
A Better Routeplanner (ABRP)
We’ve been covering EV charging apps thus far, but the last app on the list is a slight detour from that trend. A Better Routeplanner (ABRP), like the name suggests, is an app that helps EV owners to plan a route with charging stations along the way. You will first need to choose your EV model from the list so the app can determine the battery capacity and range of your EV.
When planning a trip, the app allows you to choose if you want more charging stops with less time each or less charging stops with more time charging the battery to a higher percentage. You can also set the percentage of the remaining charge you want to have when you arrive at the destination.
You don’t need this app for your daily commute to work within the city. But let’s say you are planning to drive cross-country from Johor to Bangkok, then this app will be useful in making sure you have enough battery charge to reach your destination by taking you on routes with charging stations.
ABRP comes with built-in turn-by-turn navigation using data from Google Maps. However, the functionality is limited compared to Google Maps, and you don’t get real-time traffic information. Since we’re on the topic of things it can’t do, it won’t show the charger’s status, therefore, you’ll still need to check with the respective charging networks.
Moreover, it cannot differentiate between public and private charging stations, so do check each charging stop to ensure they are accessible. Finally, because this is a route planner app and not a charging app, you can’t pay for the charging with this app.
ABRP might not be the perfect route-planning app for EVs, but it checks a lot of boxes and at the very least, does most of the planning for you.
If you’re going on a long-distance trip with your EV soon, you might want to check out ABRP on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Web.
Did we miss any apps you know might be useful for EV users in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments section and we just might add it to the list.
Related reading
- GWM Ora Good Cat Malaysia review: A bargain of an EV let down by poor software
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 Max Malaysia Review: The best EV under RM300K
- Volvo XC40 EV review Malaysia: It’s great, but the infrastructure just isn’t there yet
- Hyundai Kona electric review: What’s it like to live with in Malaysia? We drove 800km to find out
