PEARL 2.0 App Integrates ChargeSini to Power Penang’s EV Push

Penang has rolled out the updated PEARL One Touch Penang 2.0, a refreshed version of the all-in-one digital platform by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

The latest upgrade comes with a sleeker interface and wider services, designed to make everyday life easier for residents, businesses and even visitors to the state.

One standout feature is the integration of ChargeSini’s EV chargers, a move that ties in with both federal and state ambitions to push green mobility. With this, users can now find and pay for EV charging spots across Penang directly through the app, a small but important step in making e-mobility more practical.

Malaysia has set a nationwide target of 10,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Bays (EVCB) by 2025. Penang’s share is 600 units, with half of them coming under MBPP’s watch. To get there, the council has been converting parts of existing parking areas, from on-street bays to council complexes into EV charging points.

As of Jan 2025, 52 chargers had already been installed at 26 locations: 50 are 60kW DC fast chargers (DCFC), while two are 22kW AC chargers. By April, 48 of them were already LIVE. The last four are still waiting on TNB to be energised - a process that has taken unusually long.

Charging rates at these locations are set at RM1.09 per kWh for AC and RM1.39 per kWh for DC fast charging, with all payments handled seamlessly through the PEARL app.

Looking ahead, MBPP is preparing the second phase of installations at 27 more sites, with completion targeted by Dec 2025. Officials say the expansion is crucial as EV adoption gains pace, ensuring Penang has the charging backbone to keep up with demand.

Of course, PEARL 2.0 isn’t just about charging. It still functions as a one-stop platform for council e-services and lifestyle features, reflecting MBPP’s broader vision of a smarter, greener and more inclusive Penang in line with the Penang2030 agenda.

With ChargeSini now baked into the app, Penangites and visitors alike can look forward to smoother journeys and a state better prepared for a sustainable future.