New EV programme being introduced in Malaysia
First electric vehicle sharing programme in Malaysia to start in August and will be introduced in Klang Valley, followed by Langkawi, Malacca, Johor Baru and Penang
Malaysia’s first electric vehicle (EV) sharing programme for the public will start operating in August.
The programme is based on the pay-as-you-use concept and is a joint venture of CMS Consortium Sdn Bhd (Comos), Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) and Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia).
Membership will be required to rent the cars which will be either the Renault Zoe or the Nissan Leaf models.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, Comos executive chairman Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin said: “We will start accepting membership in July. We are still finalising the rental rate and all we can say for now is it will be affordable.”
He added that the rate would not be cheaper than the taxi fare for the same distance and travelling time.
He said: “To rent the cars, members only need to book using their smartphone, where they will be given a unique code and will be directed to the nearest stations with cars available. Once they get to the cars, they would key in the code to unlock the car and drive them. When they are done, they can park the cars at any designated EV parking bay under the programme,” he said, adding that charges will be time-based.”
According to Syed Zainal Abidin the programme will initially be introduced in the Klang Valley with about 40 cars, followed by Langkawi, Malacca, Johor Baru and Penang.
He revealed that the vehicle pick-up and drop-off points would likely be located at places such as LRT stations, shopping malls and government buildings.
