Mercedes-Benz Malaysia to partner with local companies to rollout EV charging facilities

After a brief pause, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) will soon resume its deployment of Mercedes-Benz EQ-branded public charging facilities in the country.

This is to support the eventual launch of Mercedes-Benz EQ series battery electric vehicle (BEV) models in the country.

Speaking at a media event earlier this month, Vice-President Michael Jopp said MBM will support Malaysia’s transition into electric mobility not just with its range of electrified products, but also in deployment of supporting infrastructure.

“It’s going to be both (deploying BEV models and charging infrastructure) because we also see our responsibility in helping the development of charging infrastructure as well.”

“We are in discussion with many players in Malaysia. Once we are ready to make some announcements on how we see we can contribute, we will do that. We are not fully there yet but that’s certainly part of our consideration as well.”

Jopp was commenting on the recent proposal outlined in Budget 2022 to make BEVs tax-free.

“We are not in a position to become a major player in the field of charging infrastructure. We want to make our contribution to the growth but at the end of the day, we are also not going to sell electricity. So we will help with the building of infrastructure but the providers, at the end of the day will be different players. There are many experienced players already in the market and I think they are also happy with the announcement because now they have more clarity. Now they know there will be more electric cars coming in and it will also enable them to accelerate their plans because they can now estimate what is the payback period for their investments. When you look at fast charging, it is quite substantial, especially when in certain areas where the grid needs to be updated.”

In 2018, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia had set up four EQ-branded public charging facilities in Klang Valley but all have since been taken down following the company’s discontinuation of the C350e and E350e.

However the recent developments are certainly good reasons for MBM to resume its EQ branding push because while plugged-in charging is optional for a plug-in hybrid, it is necessary for a battery electric vehicle.

MBM has yet to announce its plans to launch any BEV models here but adds that all of the company’s EQ series models including the EQS, EQA, and EQB are available for its picking.

Also read: Rich Malaysians have to wait: Mercedes-Benz EQS to launch in Indonesia in 2022, after Thailand

“All EQ models are available in right-hand drive. The portfolio is up to our selection but what we see right now is that demand is increasing globally. So we will also now have to work hard to make sure that we get the right product into Malaysia as well,” he added.

Although arch-rival BMW has announced pre-orders for several BEV models including the iX3, iX, and i4, Jopp said MBM is not in a hurry to match movements of other players in the business. The way MBM sees it, being able to deliver the cars and to keep a shortest possible gap between announcing a launch and delivering the cars are more important.

“The gap between announcement and availability of the cars, we don’t want the gap to be too big. We owe it to our customers. Honestly I am happy now that I haven’t made any announcement because I don’t need to change whatever public announcement I have made. I have a solid basis now, so we can base our plans going forward now on the announcement, and we hope that everything will be gazetted as announced. We will have a very close gap between launch and availability of cars,” said Jopp, who also praised the Malaysian government for listening to the industry's call for greater clarity with regards to Malaysia's plans to transition to electric cars.

“The only thing I could say is I wish the move was made much earlier, because then we could be closer to bringing these cars in now. So for us, it will still take some time. We have better clarity now and I think we have a good base for our planning over the next 3 years (the proposed tax exemption expires in 2025). Now we need to make sure that we get the right number of cars into the market in time.”

Also read: Budget 2022: Expiry date of 0% import and excise tax for BEVs - 2023 for CBUs, 2025 for CKDs