PETRONAS Dagangan Collaborates To Accelerate Electric Mobility Needs

To accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PDB) recently signed two tripartite memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with key industry players, including Gentari Green Mobility Sdn Bhd (GGM), EP Blueshark Sdn Bhd (EBSB), Blueshark Holding Ltd (BHL), and Handal Indah Sdn Bhd (HISB).

By deploying battery swap stations for electric two-wheelers and charging facilities for electric buses at Petronas stations, PDB will cement its essential role in the full integrated electric mobility value chain.

PDB intends to leverage its capabilities and station network to support its clients' decarbonisation initiatives and meet their electric mobility needs through this investment.

PDB managing director and chief executive officer Azrul Osman Rani stated at the signing ceremony that the company is continuing to develop its non-fuel sector while also stepping up efforts into promoting electric mobility since it will allow the potential expansion of the energy vehicle (EV) sector to be realized.

Azrul, EBSB executive chairman Hamidon Abdullah, and BHL group chief executive officer Jeff Chong Chen Wai signed the first Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in the electric two-wheeler battery swapping sector.

This MoU calls for all parties to work together on business development, beginning with the installation of battery swap stations at nine Petronas stations in two-stage pilot runs.

The companies will next look at further collaborations along the value chain of electric two-wheelers.

"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.

Azrul, GGM chief green mobility officer Shah Yang Razalli, and HISB executive director Lim Chern Chuen signed the second Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in commercial electric bus charging infrastructure.

This MoU calls for the installation of direct current (DC) fast EV chargers at three Petronas stations in Johor to offer opportunity charging for HISB's electric buses serving the route and the public.

These test runs will offer PDB with more information before growing the solution into a profitable enterprise.

M Haikal Zubir, chief operating officer of GGM, stated that reducing emissions from the transportation industry is a critical step in Malaysia's goal of becoming a low-carbon nation by 2040.

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.