Accelerating the Adoption of Electric Vehicles to Support Malaysia’s Low Carbon Mobility Ambitions

Petaling Jaya, 16 December 2021 – Sime Darby Motors (SDM) Malaysia and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a collaboration to support the country’s low carbon mobility ambitions.

SDM Malaysia and TNB formalised the MoU at a signing ceremony between SDM Retail and Distribution Malaysia Managing Director Jeffrey Gan and TNB Retail Division’s Head of Solutions, Mohamed Azrin Mohamed Ali, which was witnessed by Sime Darby Berhad Group Chief Financial Officer, Mustamir Mohamad and TNB Chief Retail officer, Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan on 14 December 2021 at Sime Darby Motors City, Ara Damansara.

Read: Installation of EV charging stations to support Malaysia’s transition into low-carbon mobility

SDM Malaysia and TNB are committed to working together for two years to explore various initiatives to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EV), including ensuring a network of highly efficient EV charging infrastructure is in place to support this growth. The parties also aim to look into other energy-efficient and renewable energy initiatives to optimise EV charging infrastructure’s cost and reduce carbon emissions.

Sime Darby Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, said, “We are in 19 markets in the Asia Pacific region, all of which are at different stages of the EV revolution. As the partner of choice for some of the world’s most admired automotive brands, and with capabilities across the full value chain, we believe that we are strategically positioned to be the preferred partner for the transition taking place.”

Sime Darby’s offerings to support the country’s EV plans include assembly capabilities, a broad spectrum of brands with expanding EV line-ups; a skilled workforce for EV retail and aftersales services; and supply and maintenance of EV charging equipment. President/Chief Executive Officer TNB, Datuk Ir Baharin Din, disclosed that TNB’s interest in accelerating e-mobility stems from the Group’s ambition to create a conducive EV environment that encourages a higher EV adoption rate amongst the public supporting the low carbon mobility footprint plan for Malaysia.

He said, “As a primary driver of the nation’s energy transition, this initiative also builds on our effort to lead the development of a conducive ecosystem for a wider EV adoption in Malaysia. After more than seven decades, our role has evolved from the national utility provider towards becoming a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions in Malaysia and internationally. To achieve that aspiration, we have been transforming TNB to be more agile and customer-centric, including enhancing our energy solutions portfolio to include sustainable energy options such as solar and hydro, energy audits, energy efficiency management systems and now, EV charging infrastructure.”

Baharin added that under the collaboration, TNB would provide reliable and stable electricity supply to the EV’s charging ecosystem based on the selected geographical areas that are mutually agreed upon by TNB and SDM Malaysia. TNB would also offer SDM Malaysia a solution that can optimise its electricity costs and support green and sustainable energy sources in reducing carbon emissions.

“SDM Malaysia represents several brands that have been focusing on developing greener technology products, and we will begin distributing and retailing them in Malaysia soon. We are committed to supporting these brands in their transition to EV, and this collaboration with TNB marks a crucial part of our efforts to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place and the best in its class solutions for these technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly vehicles,” Jeffrey Gan said.

As part of SDM Malaysia’s efforts to prepare its aftersales workforce and promote the proliferation of EV, it has embarked on various efforts that include upskilling its technicians. SDM Malaysia technicians have clocked 1,048 training hours to ensure that they are trained to handle these highly advanced vehicles.

All operating units in each of the brands SDM Malaysia represents have achieved their highest EV technical accreditation since October 2019 and have been making significant progress in the certification of their EV technicians.

– Construction+ Online

Source: TNB