PETRA Pledges 10,000 EV Charging Stations by Year-End

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, recently addressed the "chicken and egg" debate amongst the Malaysian EV community. Through which , he emphasised the need for sufficient charging facilities to make electric vehicles (EVs) more convenient.

Fadillah noted that most EVs offer a range of about 300 to 400 kilometers before needing a recharge, which makes increasing the number of charging stations a priority for both the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and PETRA.

While EV-related matters fall under MITI, PETRA is responsible for expanding the charging station network, with a commitment to installing 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide by the end of the year.

However, Fadillah also stressed that these charging stations should not only be placed in urban areas but also in rural regions. Currently, the roll-out of charging stations predominantly focuses on urban locations, which raises concerns.

The minister's call to address this disparity aligns with the goal of encouraging broader adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles and supporting efforts to combat climate change.

However, at Carz.com.my as much as we agree with this statement, the challenge remains: the government has not committed any funds for the EV charger roll-out, leaving local charge point operators (CPOs) to shoulder the financial burden.

This burden, as a result, will most likely make CPOs prioritise urban areas where the bulk of EV users are located. In turn, this could lead to higher EV charger usage - necessary to recoup set-up investments.

Fadillah made these remarks during a press conference at a charity event for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities (OKU) in Sungai Tengah Matang, held in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year 2025 celebration.

Reference: Berita Harian