Solar powered Electric charging stations to be set up on highways

Five solar-powered Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station will be installed along the North-South Expressway (NSE) by early 2020.

PLUS Malaysia Bhd Managing Director Datuk Azman Ismail said the discussions were underway to setup the solar-powered EV charging stations, which cost RM 450,000 each, at Pagoh, Tapah, Dengkil, Gunung which are Southbound and Semanggol, Seremban northbound areas. Azam said there are currently 249 charging stations with some 150 of them located in Klang Valley.

Most of these charging stations are mainly grid and electric-based and can be found at major petrol stations, shopping malls and hotels, he said at the launch of the first public solar EV charging station in Malaysia at the Ayer Keroh Overhead Bridge Restaurant (southbound) near here. Present was Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (MGTC) acting chief executive officer Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa.

The project was a collaboration between PLUS, MGTC and United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

MGTC is the leading EV charging station operator and manages 240 stations nationwide.

Azamn said PLUS plans to build more EV charging stations at rest areas if there is demand.

The EV charging station at the Ayer Keroh overhead bridge Restaurant has been operational since May and offers free charging to EV and plug-in Hybrid electrical vehicle (PHEV) owners. He said PLUS was heeding the Governments call to preserve the environment by introducing solar-powered EV charging stations.

Syed Ahamad said with the availability of EV chargers along the NSE, it would make it easier for EV and PHEV owners to travel interstate.

EV users, he pointed out, will require between 60 to 90 minutes to fully charge their vehicles which could travel for about 490 Kms.

On another matter, Azman said Traders at PLUS areas will be required to provide biodegradable packaging such as cups, food containers, utensils from net year.