TNB: Floods, EVs and Electrocution Fears

As electric vehicles (EV) gain traction in Malaysia, concerns have been raised over their safety during floods, particularly the risk of electrocution and the use of public charging stations in waterlogged areas.

It is timely, then, to see Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) stepping forward as an industry voice. As the national energy provider and a growing charging point operator (CPO), TNB has taken a more proactive role in 2026 after largely remaining in the background last year.

TNB said modern EVs are engineered with multiple safety layers, including sealed battery packs, insulated high-voltage cables and automatic power cut-off systems that activate when abnormal conditions are detected. Together, these measures reduce the risk of electric shock to near zero, even during floods.

Charging stations meanwhile are designed with similar safeguards. According to TNB, most chargers are water and dust resistant and equipped with moisture sensors and auto shut-down functions that stop operations as soon as unsafe conditions are detected, including rising floodwaters.

Sites are further protected by electrical safety devices such as auto-trip mechanisms, fuses and residual current protection. Many locations also feature flood detectors, supported by CCTV monitoring and on-site partners to enable early intervention.

Other CPOs as we checked echo this approach. DC Handal CTO, Esa Fawsal Salleh said its chargers are fitted with flood sensors that trigger an immediate shutdown when water levels rise, often tripping the incoming power supply before any equipment is submerged. 

Esa added further that additional safety measures ensure high-power components are placed in standby mode if charger access doors are opened.

TNB added that charging operators have flood-specific emergency response plans aligned with its safety procedures, allowing operations to be halted quickly and recovery carried out in a coordinated manner once conditions improve.

From a grid perspective, TNB said risks remain low. Charging stations are monitored through smart network systems, while flood-prone areas are tracked in real time using flood analysis tools, enabling proactive inspections and early safety measures.

However, EV users are still advised to take basic precautions, including stopping charging immediately if water levels rise, moving vehicles to higher ground and avoiding contact with submerged charging equipment.

Meanwhile, Zero Emission Vehicle Association (ZEVA) president Wan Ahmad Zam Zam Wan Abd Wahab said there have been no reported electric shock incidents involving EV charging stations during floods so far. Even so, he urged users to remain cautious and avoid chargers in high-risk areas.

He added that most EV charging stations in Malaysia comply with Energy Commission (ST) and international safety standards, with critical components typically installed at higher levels and systems designed to shut down safely when abnormal conditions are detected.

Source: Bernama