PLUS and Gentari roll out BEV chargers at Behrang lay-by (Northbound)

BEHRANG (Perak): PLUS Malaysia Bhd and clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd have launched the electric vehicles (EV) fast charging modular and portable station with battery energy storage system (BESS), at the Behrang lay-by (Northbound).

PLUS managing director Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar highlighted, “We collaborated with the Ministry of Works, Malaysian Highway Authority and key industry players to establish an infrastructural development of EV charging station roadmap whereby we aim to facilitate the installation of 100 DCFC EV charging stations across our highways by 2025."

Gentari’s and EVC's 200kW Kempower DC charging station is at the Behrang lay-by.

The integrated chargers for public use, which combine the use of solar panels and BESS, are the first of its kind to be set up in the country.

The rollout will be conducted in phases in 2023 and 2024, starting with four lay-bys along PLUS highways.

Each site will have a DC charging power up to 200 kW, and four charging points will be set up per location.

The proposed four sites are Behrang Lay-by (Northbound and Southbound) in Perak and 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.

In addition, the alternating current (AC) charging points at existing Petronas petrol stations at PLUS’ R&Rs and lay-bys are being upgraded to direct current fast charging (DCFC) points.

Gentari will also develop DCFC charging points at additional Petronas petrol stations along PLUS highways and nearby locations, targeted for full completion by 2024.

This initiative is also part of the strategic highway planning to provide range confidence to EV users travelling interstate.

Deputy CEO of Gentari and CEO of Gentari Green Mobility, Shah Yang Razalli, commented, “Gentari and our partner, EV Connection Sdn Bhd (EVC), are excited about this collaboration to introduce the EV fast charging modular and portable station. The pioneering initiative combines the innovative use of BESS and solar-powered energy.”

The launching event was graced by Minister of Works Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, accompanied by the secretary-general of the Ministry of Works, Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad.

Also present were the PLUS chairman Datuk Mohamad Nasir Ab Latif, UEM group managing director and PLUS board member Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani.

Nanta said, "I believe that this collaboration will play a crucial role in inspiring people to support lowcarbon transportation solutions, in line with the objectives outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12), the Malaysia Green Technology Master Plan (GTMP), and the Low Carbon Mobility Development Plan (LCMB).”

To date, since its introduction in June 2022, Gentari has deployed over 180 charging points in Malaysia and over 160 charging points in India, through its affiliated entities.

With a mission to be Asia Pacific’s most valued clean energy solutions partner by 2030, Gentari aims to capture over 10% market share of charge points and Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS) offerings, across key markets in Asia Pacific.