PLUS-TNB to install 18 EV charging stations along highways by year-end

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and PLUS Malaysia Bhd will jointly install 18 electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations along PLUS Highways by year-end.

PLUS Malaysia Bhd and TNB, in a joint statement, said that TNB Electron charging facilities were now available at three rest and recreation (R&R) areas in Ayer Keroh (northbound) and Tapah (northbound), and along the North-South Expressway and Paka (northbound) on the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2).

Six more TNB Electron charging facilities are being built at the Machap R&R (southbound), Rawang (northbound), Gunung Semanggol (southbound), Gurun (north and southbound) and Paka (southbound).

These are expected to be completed this year, in line with Malaysia's goal of achieving a carbon-neutral country status. 

TNB president and CEO Baharin Din said the use of electricity at the nine TNB Electrons which is estimated to reach 99,000kWh in 2023, would avoid the emission of 7.2 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in the same period – equivalent to the capture of greenhouse gases by 3.43 hectares of forest per year.

He said TNB has made the development of the EV ecosystem one of four initiatives to accelerate its energy transition drive in an effort to increase its commitment to environment, social and governance interests, as well as ensure sustainable business growth.
 
PLUS Malaysia Bhd board member and UEM Group managing director Mohd Izani Ghani said the major concessionaires of the country's highway infrastructure operators had joined hands with TNB and used their expertise in energy resource technology expertise to be enjoyed by PLUS highway users.

Izani said as of Jan 20 this year, a total of 20 fast-charging facilities are operating along the PLUS Highway, with more similar facilities planned at R&R areas.