PLUS and Gentari launch modular EV charger with battery storage at the northbound Behrang lay-by

PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) and clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), via its subsidiary, Gentari Green Mobility, have launched an electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging modular and portable station at the northbound Behrang lay-by. The system uses a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) setup.

Present at the launch was Malaysia’s Minister of Works, YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

“The collaboration between PLUS and Gentari is a significant joint effort that can harness the unique strengths of each organisation to support an environmentally friendly transportation system, creating a more conducive environment for the use of eco-friendly vehicles,” said Alexander.

“At the Ministry, we are committed to achieving Malaysia's sustainability goals, and I believe that this collaboration will play a crucial role in inspiring the people of Malaysia to support low-carbon transportation solutions, in line with the objectives outlined in the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Malaysia Green Technology Master Plan and the Low Carbon Mobility Development Plan,” he added.

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The integrated chargers combine the use of solar panels and BESS, making it the first of its kind 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 DC charging power up to 200 kW, and four charging points per location. Access to it is via the JomCharge app.

For now, the proposed four sites are the Behrang lay-by (northbound and southbound) in Perak as well as the Senawang lay-by (northbound and southbound) in Negeri Sembilan. In the future, three more locations have been proposed; the Ajil lay-by (northbound and southbound) and the Perasing Rest and Service Area (R&R), all on Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2) in Terengganu.

“As Malaysia’s largest highway operator, PLUS is committed to support and contribute to the national sustainability agenda. 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,” said PLUS Managing Director, Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar.

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 (DC) points. Gentari will also develop DC charging points at additional Petronas petrol stations along PLUS highways and nearby locations, with a targeted completion time by 2024.

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

To date, since its introduction in June 2022, Gentari has installed over 180 charging points in Malaysia and over 160 charging points in India, through its affiliates. With a mission to be Asia Pacific’s most valued clean energy solutions partner by 2030, Gentari aims to capture over 10 percent of the market share of charge points across key markets in Asia Pacific.