DC Handal Joins CPO Price War - RM1/kWh DC Fast Charging!

In a recent article, we highlighted EVC JomCharge's collaboration with Proton to introduce a groundbreaking public charging rate of just RM0.70/kWh at e.MAS-branded chargers in condominiums. For e.MAS 7 users, the rate drops even further to RM0.63/kWh.

However, another intriguing development has surfaced when a reader highlighted that DC Handal is now offering an impressive flat rate of RM1.00/kWh for DC fast charging at several locations.

This is especially noteworthy because the e.MAS rates are primarily geared toward public-private usage for slower AC chargers typically found in condominiums, while DC Handal’s rate applies to faster DC chargers and is accessible to everyone.

So far based on what we managed to gather, three DC Handal locations are confirmed to offer this permanent competitive rate. Since it's not a promotional rate there’s no immediate rush to take advantage of it. The locations include MG Motors at Wisma GAM in Petaling Jaya, IJM Land ICE Gallery at Pantai Central, and Pulse Grande Hotel in Putrajaya.

Based on details pulled off PlugShare, both the MG Motor and Pulse Grande Hotel houses one (1) Autel 47kW DCFC primed with two nozzles serving two EVCBs while the IJM ICE Gallery houses a Autel 120kW two gun DCFC featuring improved cable management system for user convenience.

Payments at these DCFCs are also made easy thanks to DC Handal’s integrated payment terminal that accepts debit and credit cards, MyDebit, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and virtual payments using the JomCharge and chargEV apps.

With typical DC charging rate currently hovering at around RM1.30 to RM1.50 per kWh while AC charging rate at about RM1/kWh these recent price wars amongst CPOs does prove to benefit users as it is technically cheaper then charging at home, even with the RM0.57/kWh rate as you would not have to incur the equipment and set-up cost.

However, can the CPOs sustain at these prices in the long run? This is especially so given the high cost of setting up these charging stations which based on the normal charging rate and usage volume would predictably take at least 10-15 years to turn profitable.