Mercedes-Benz Malaysia rejuvenates its EV charging ecosystem with new partnerships and privileges

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has announced new partners that will help the German marquee enhance the Mercedes-Benz EV ownership experience. This is as the company refreshes its approach towards EV infrastructure.

New benefits for Mercedes-Benz EV owners

The new partners consisted of well-established hotels and golf resorts in Penang, Klang Valley, and Johor. At each location, EV owners can now find Mercedes-Benz branded chargers:

• Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Penang: 1 x 50kW AC / 2 x 22kW AC (JomCharge)
• Marriott Hotel, Penang: 7 x 22kW AC (JomCharge)
• Saujana Golf & Country Club, Shah Alam: 2 x 22kW AC (JomCharge)
• The RuMA Hotel & Residences, Kuala Lumpur: 3 x 22kW AC (JomCharge)
• Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Johor: 2 x 60kW DC (ChargEV)

MBM also said that Mercedes-Benz EV owners can enjoy additional privileges at these locations simply by showing their Mercedes-Benz Card or Mercedes-Benz App upon check-in. The announcement was light on detail, so it is unclear what are the exact privileges that Mercedes-Benz EV owners can enjoy at each location.

However, one of the presentation slides did list down some of the possible benefits which include charging discounts, early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, shopping discounts, dining discounts and many more.

In terms of EV charging, MBM is now looking at it with a much wider lens through what the company refers to as the Mercedes-Benz EV Charging Ecosystem. There are several elements within it:

• Charge@Home: wallbox installations at Mercedes-Benz EV owners
• Charge@Retail: EV chargers at Mercedes-Benz dealerships
• Charge@Public: Mercedes-Benz branded chargers at select locations including partner hotels, resorts, and golf courses.

MBM also maintains close partnerships with major Charge Point Operators (CPOs) including ChargEV, Gentari, and JomCharge.

A new era for Mercedes-Benz Charging Ecosystem in Malaysia?

Frankly speaking, there is nothing new about the elements listed above. Mercedes-Benz BEV and plug-in hybrid customers never really have a problem obtaining wallbox chargers for their vehicles and EV chargers have been readily available at numerous Mercedes-Benz dealerships since a while ago

This applies to corporate partnerships too. Back in 2018, MBM collaborated with Pavilion KL, Sunway Pyramid, Bangsar Shopping Centre, and Desa ParkCity to establish Mercedes-Benz EQ-branded charging stations at these shopping malls that Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid owners can utilise.

When the company launched the first Mercedes-Benz BEV for Malaysia, the EQA 250 in March 2022, MBM, JomCharge and Petronas unveiled the Energise charging network which has since become part of Gentari. Later in December, they worked together to establish the EV charging hub at Petronas Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam which has become a very popular stop not only for local EV owners but also Singaporeans.

However, the message that MBM trying to convey through this week’s announcement seemed more coherent. Furthermore, the partnerships with hotels and golf courses provide the opportunity for MBM to integrate lifestyle elements into the Mercedes-Benz Charging Ecosystem in Malaysia.