KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Chargeplus Sdn Bhd (Charge+) will explore a ground-breaking cross-border roaming platform that will effortlessly connect their customers to electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Malaysia and Singapore.
The commitment to this innovative partnership was solidified with the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the TNB Energy Conference 2023, held in August.
The MoU forms the cornerstone for the development of a seamless cross-border network of EV charging infrastructure, in alignment with the National Energy Transition Roadmap's goal to deploy 10,000 EV charging stations by 2025.
TNB president and chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Ir. Baharin Din, described this collaboration as an opportunity to explore the technical and commercial feasibility of international roaming arrangements.
"This partnership is designed to significantly enhance the customer experience for both TNB and Charge+ as they embark on cross-border journeys. With seamless access to charging points, EV drivers will be able to enjoy unprecedented convenience and peace of mind," he said in a statement today.
Charge+ is a subsidiary of Charge+ Pte Ltd., an EV charging solution provider for Singapore and Southeast Asia.
The MoU was exchanged between TNB program director of PMO electric vehicles, Wan Ahmad Zam Zam Wan Abd Wahab, and Charge+ chief executive officer, Goh Chee Kiong. It was witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.
Baharin said this MoU marks Malaysia's pioneering cross-border roaming alliance in the EV charging sector.
As part of TNB's grand vision, this strategic partnership will be integrated into an expansive network of 30,000 charging points by 2030, spanning a 5,000-kilometre EV highway across five Southeast Asian countries, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, he said.
Baharin said TNB is taking significant strides to increase the accessibility of EV charging points within Malaysia and beyond.
This expansion of the TNB Electron network not only enhances the convenience of charging facilities but also reaffirms the utility firm's dedication to delivering seamless services for its customers, he said.
On concerns about the suitability of EVs for extended journeys and cross-border travel, Baharin expressed his confidence that this roaming initiative will play a pivotal role in challenging and reshaping perceptions.
"'The improved convenience will alleviate concerns about range anxiety that EV drivers may have, thereby driving greater adoption of EVs in Malaysia. The TNB and Charge+ partnership will also contribute to reducing overall carbon emissions in Malaysia," he said.
Baharin also said that this strategic partnership will enable users of the TNB Electron charging stations' mobile application (GO TO-U) and Charge+ (Charge+) to conveniently access the EV charging assets of both companies, providing a more convenient cross-border charging experience for TNB Electron and Charge+ customers.