Drive Far Without Worries: Embrace Range-Free EV Living in Malaysia

BENTONG – For numerous individuals contemplating switching from a gasoline-driven automobile to an electric vehicle (EV), the primary hindrance often cited is range anxiety or the worry about depleting battery charge prior to arriving at their destination or locating a charging point.

The Chief Brand Officer of Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (PRO-NET), Salawati Mohd Yusoff, mentioned that worries regarding travel range are typical for people who have not yet become accustomed to using electric vehicles. This apprehension is particularly prevalent as this technology remains relatively novel within the domestic marketplace.

Still, she pointed out that contemporary electric vehicles are equipped with advanced software designed to assist drivers in planning their trips more effectively, thus lowering the chance of exhausting the battery during travel.

PRO-NET, a wholly owned affiliate of PROTON, was set up to lead the sale and distribution of intelligent vehicles in Malaysia.

"For example, our company’s Proton e.MAS 7 comes with technology that can tell you how much power and kilowatts, as well as how far the vehicle can still go - whether it can reach the destination or needs charging. For this model, the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) range is between 345 km and 410 km.

For example, if someone plans to go to Ipoh (Perak), once they input their destination into the system, it will notify them if the vehicle has enough range to reach there. Should the car fall short of the required distance, it would indicate the shortfall in kilometers and propose nearby charging stations en route. Users could then arrange for a recharge at one such accessible spot," she explained when speaking with Bernama during The Real eMAS Drive held recently at Tiarasa Escapes, an initiative organized by PRO-NET.

Salawati mentioned that operating an electric vehicle (EV) is similar to using a smartphone; you need to recharge it periodically to prevent it from losing power completely.

She mentioned that even though most electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are mainly found in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Johor Bahru, residents in rural areas do not face issues using these vehicles since they have the option to recharge them at their homes.

On average, around 80% of electric vehicle purchasers come from cities, with roughly 20%, possibly a tad lower, hailing from suburban regions; however, these vehicles can indeed be utilized in more remote locations too. This simply calls for some awareness regarding the location of charging stations and ways to access them.

"Throughout Malaysia, including the East Coast regions like Kelantan and Terengganu, numerous chargers can be found. Individuals residing in standalone homes have the option to charge their vehicles at home, regardless of whether they live in an urban or rural setting," she further explained, highlighting that electric vehicle maintenance expenses tend to be less than those for traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) automobiles.

EV user Rosmah Idayu Abu Samah, 48, said although she lives in a condominium and, hence, not able to have her own charger at home, she still believes her decision to switch to an EV about a year ago was the right one.

Living in a non-landed property with an electric vehicle poses no issues for me. Typically, I top up my car’s battery for around 30 minutes at a nearby charging station, which allows me to travel back and forth from Damansara to Shah Alam comfortably for roughly four days. This method is not only eco-friendly but also financially smarter compared to gasoline, as each recharge costs approximately RM30.

"The way you drive also impacts how much energy is used. Aggressive driving consumes more power," noted Rosmah Idayu, who shared that she had travelled with her electric vehicle from Johor to Desaru and even as far as Penang without encountering any problems. This was reported by BERNAMA.