CPOs Believe 10,000 EVCB Target Doable, Approval Process Needs Streamlining

During the launch of the ASEAN region’s largest Tesla Supercharger station in Gamuda Cove recently,  Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) has reaffirmed the government's goal of having 10,000 EV charging bay (EVCB)  across the country by 2025.

He further added that this statement was entirely based on feedbacks gathered from industry players (CPO), who are confident in achieving the target. In return, Zafrul also added that the government is ready to facilitate CPOs in achieving the target, which includes streamlining the approval processes and collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.

Based on various opinion pieces published by CariCarz.com over the last year, we are also sure that CPOs are capable of producing the number that the government is targeting if approvals and licences are expedited.

Zafrul also stated that the 10,000 charger objective will be one of the primary topics discussed at the next National EV Steering Committee (NEVSC) meeting. This comes after he confessed earlier this year that the objective set may have been too aggressive.

Currently, the MEVnet dashboard which was last updated on 19 January 2024 shows 2,020 EVCB operating nationwide. That number according to Zafrul has grown rapidly from over 1,400 EVCB in under one year indicating the capability to rise up and rapidly roll out EVCBs.

During the press conference, Tengku Zafrul had also applauded Tesla’s effort in contributing to the country’s EV infrastructure as the only brand that both rolls out cars and EVCB simultaneously. Tesla has been aggressively rolling out its Supercharging and Destination charging stations in collaboration with local installers.

He further mentioned Tesla's commitment to set up charging stations in key locations throughout Malaysia and provide access to non-Tesla brands. However we have not seen much on the latter and anticipate this would only come much later as they are given till the end of 2025 to fulfil that commitment.