KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB) recently signed two tripartite memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with key industry players namely, Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd (GGM), EP Blueshark Sdn Bhd (EBSB), Blueshark Holding Ltd (BHL) and Handal Indah Sdn Bhd (HISB) to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.
These strategic partnerships will cement PDB's critical role in the overall integrated electric mobility value chain by rolling out battery swap stations for electric two-wheelers and charging infrastructure for electric buses at Petronas stations.
Through this investment, PDB aims to support its customers' decarbonisation efforts and meet their electric mobility needs, leveraging its capabilities and network of stations.
At the signing ceremony, PDB managing director and chief executive officer Azrul Osman Rani said that whilst the company continue to diversify its non-fuel business, and it is also intensifying efforts
into supporting electric mobility as it will allow realising the potential growth of the energy vehicle (EV) market.
"This is further solidified through the collaboration between PDB and GGM, along with EBSB, BHL and HISB, to create a more conducive ecosystem for EV users," he said in a statement today.
The first MoU on the collaboration in the electric two-wheeler battery swapping business was signed by Azrul, EBSB executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah and BHL group chief executive officer Jeff Chong Chen Wai.
This MoU will see all parties collaborate in the business development, starting with installing battery swap stations at nine Petronas stations in two-stage pilot runs.
The parties will then explore further collaborations along the electric two-wheeler value chain.
"We are happy that PDB recognises our EV efforts and capabilities. Ours is a system-based approach to be rolled out with our key partners," EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah said.
"This collaboration is about exploring the high-potential value chain ahead and how we can position ourselves and our partners to benefit from the evolving EV technology.
"We are very happy and honoured to be with PDB on this journey," he said.
The second MoU on the collaboration in commercial electric bus charging infrastructure was signed by Azrul, GGM chief green mobility officer Shah Yang Razalli and HISB executive director Lim Chern Chuen.
Through this MoU, three Petronas stations in Johor will be installed with direct current (DC) fast EV chargers to provide opportunity charging for HISB's electric buses serving the route and the public.
These pilot runs will provide PDB with better insights before scaling the solution into a viable business for PDB.
GGM chief operating officer M Haikal Zubir said tackling emissions from the transportation sector is an important step for Malaysia to become a low-carbon nation by 2040.
"Better and more connected public transportation will help to reduce cars on the roads.
"But equally important is for public transportation to be decarbonised. GGM is pleased to collaborate with PDB and HISB to explore the electrification of public transportation and the EV ecosystem developments required to support it.
Haikal believes this is a necessary course of action to make a meaningful impact on carbon emissions reduction for the country.
"We are excited about this partnership. These new developments will help us to explore new trends and opportunities for growth in the automotive sector, particularly in terms of electrification of mobility and primarily focusing on vehicle-based mobility solutions with a wide range of fleet management services," Lim said.