PLUS Malaysia Bhd and clean energy solutions provider Gentari Sdn Bhd have today launched DC fast chargers at the Behrang lay-by (northbound).
The 200kW chargers, which combine solar panels and 300kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), are the first of their kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Four cars can plug in at a time to the Kempower chargers, which are of Finnish origin. The charging station was deployed by Gentari in partnership with EV Connection Sdn Bhd.
Gentari said the huge battery packs can be recharged during non-peak hours via solar or grid, taking 7-8 hours for a full charge.
The rollout of the modular and portable charging station will take place in stages in 2023 and 2024, starting with four lay-bys along PLUSighways.
The proposed sites are Behrang lay-by in Perak and Senawang Lay-by in Negeri Sembilan, with three more locations proposed at Ajil and Perasing Rest and Service Area sites.
The Behrang chargers are still undergoing final testing.
Public access to the chargers will be announced in due course.
As to pricing at the Behrang station, Gentari has yet to announce it. If the Bangi Golf Resort and Sunway XPark fast chargers are any guide, the pricing would be based on kWh usage instead of the time-based mode offered by some other charging networks.
At present, DC charging (20kW, 30kW) is offered at RM1.30 per kWh, 50kW – 180kW is at RM1.50 per kWh, while 350kW is at RM1.70 per kWh.
Gentari will develop DC fast chargers at additional PETRONAS petrol stations along PLUS highways and nearby locations, with full completion expected by 2024.
The initiative is part of strategic highway planning to provide range confidence to EV users traveling interstate.
Gentari has deployed over 180 charging points in Malaysia and over 160 in India since its establishment in June 2022.
