Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, during the first meeting of the National EV Steering Committee (NEVSC) for 2024 said that the government has acknowledged the challenges face by EV charging service providers and initiative has been taken to address the issue during the first meeting of the National EV Steering Committee (NEVSC) for 2024.
“The government is aware of the current challenges faced by EV charging service providers, and I have directed the relevant government agencies to coordinate and facilitate regulations, including those related to licensing, to ensure the smooth development and operation of EV charging stations nationwide and to support the holistic development of the EV ecosystem, without compromising safety aspects.” he said.
The first meeting of the NEVSC for 2024, chaired by Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah showed the government’s top leadership commitment to driving and ensuring the development of the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry in Malaysia achieves its goals. One of the topics addressed included initiatives to improve procedures and licensing for EV charging stations. It was emphasized that EV charging point operators (CPOs) must adhere to all licensing criteria established by the Energy Commission and Local Authorities (PBT), which encompass regulations stipulated by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.
To increase the numbers of EV chargers along the highway, PLUS has collaborated with Malaysian Highway Authority to facilitate the development process of charging stations along the PLUS highway, including identifying strategic locations at Rest and Service Areas (R&Rs) and Laybys along the PLUS highway. The Government has also requested that the electrical power supply at approved EV charging station development locations at R&Rs always be sufficient, and the development of new sub-stations at necessary locations be expedited.
During the meeting, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has also informed their progess in researching the methods of sourcing energy supply and usage timing to encourage EV charging activities using Renewable Energy (RE) sources. The Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, has also explained that “In addition to EV charging activities using renewable energy sources, the Government also welcomes proposals to encourage new business models to optimize EV charging during low grid usage hours.”
During the meeting, Northport (Malaysia) Berhad expressed concerns regarding safety risks associated with EVs during logistical operations. Consequently, it was decided that within six months, good practice guidelines on EV handling protocols during logistical transactions would be formulated to serve as a reference for the industry.
