PENANG has set a target of installing 600 electric vehicle charging bays (EVCBs) this year, with 300 units on Penang Island and another 300 in Seberang Perai.
State Local Government and Town & Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye announced this during the launch of an EVCB at Gat Lebuh China in George Town today. The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s goal of installing 10,000 EVCBs nationwide by 2025.
Also present at the launch were Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, state Tenaga Nasional general manager Norhizam Abu Hasan, MBPP engineering director Cheah Chin Kooi, MBPP electrical engineer Moh Fahmi Ismail, ChargeHere (ChargeSini) operations manager Tee Kah Yong, and ChargeSini Head of Business Development Bruce Sui.
H’ng said MBPP has studied the feasibility of installing EVCBs on Penang Island, given limited space constraints and land availability. To facilitate public access, MBPP has converted existing parking spaces into EVCBs, including those in MBPP complexes and on-street parking areas.
“A total of 52 EVCB ports were fully installed at 26 locations on the island in January and are currently undergoing power connection by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
“Once TNB completes the meter installations, the EVCBs are expected to be fully operational by April. We will also have a profit-sharing arrangement with the service providers,” he said.
Of the 52 EVCBs, 50 are DC chargers (60kW), and two are AC chargers (22kW). The charging rates are RM1.09/kWh for AC chargers and RM1.39/kWh for DC chargers.
H’ng also expressed his appreciation to TNB for its collaboration in supporting the initiative.
He said MBPP is also in the process of implementing Phase 2 of the RFP for EVCB installation at an additional 27 locations.
“We expect the second phase to be completed by December. MBPP remains committed to achieving Penang’s EVCB targets,” he said.
Rajendran highlighted that with the 52 EVCBs installed by ChargeSini and 261 EVCBs already set up by the private sector, Penang Island has exceeded its initial target of 300 EVCBs.
“Although we have surpassed the target, we are still not satisfied. As the number of EVs increases, we plan to set up more EVCBs. We are calling for an RFP for Phase 2 and aim to build over 100 more EVCBs by the end of the year.
“Furthermore, new developments are now required to allocate 2% of their parking bays for EVs,” he added.
ChargeSini Development Lead Bruce Sui encouraged motorists to download the ChargeSini app for details on charging rates, station locations, and advance booking options.
“To prevent idling, each EVCB is equipped with a parking barrier. This feature also allows motorists to reserve a charging bay before arrival,” he said.
The 26 locations that ChargeSini has installed EVCBs are:
Persiaran Karpal Singh, Jalan Concordia, Precint 10, Lebuh Union, Gat Lebuh China, Pasar Tanjong Bungah, Gat Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh Cintra, Jalan Masjid Negeri (Berjaya Gallery), Pasar Kompleks Jalan Permai, Tlk Jalan Lenggong (Jalan Lenggong/Jalan Jelutong), Lebuh Pasar (Lebuh Pantai-Lebuh Penang), Pasar Batu Lanchang, Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, Tlk Jalan Pasar/Jalan Balik Pulau (Kek Lok Si), Lebuh Dickens, Jalan Arratoon, George Town, Pasar Rajawali, Pasar Bayan Baru, Jalan Servis off Jalan Balik Pulau (in front of 7E Simpang Empat), Pasar Lengkok Kelicap, Jalan Sungai Air Putih (MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd), Kompleks Sukan Relau, Medan Kampung Relau 1 (Maybank), Jalan Khidmat Jalan Paya Terubong (Golden Triangle) and Pasar Teluk Kumbar Heights.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian