The first solar-based EV charging station is located in Ayer Keroh R&R (southbound). — Bernama
MALACCA: North-South Expressway (NSE) concessionaire PLUS has launched the first solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station at the Ayer Keroh R&R (southbound) near here today.
The station costing RM450,000 is made available with the co-operation from Malaysia Green Technology Corporation (MGTC). EV owners could charge their cars for free at the site.
PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the move to have the station is in line with PLUS' policy to preserve the environment as well as going eco-friendly.
“Ayer Keroh (southbound) is the first to have such facility and we plan to introduce the same concept at five more R&R areas very soon," he said at the launch.
“We estimate 60,000 EVs in the country to benefit from the facility,” he said. The event was also attended by MGTC acting CEO Syed Ahmad Syed Mustafa.
MGTC is the leading EV charging station operator that manages 240 stations at petrol kiosks and shopping complexes nationwide.
On another matter, Azman said PLUS expects to resolve the issue of heavy vehicles parking along the highway shoulder by working with the relevant enforcement agencies.
While acknowledging the haphazard parking is not only confined to the Malacca stretch of the expressway, Azman said rest and recreation (R&R) areas in other parts of the country are also experiencing the same situation.
“It boils down to the attitude (of the drivers) and we will work closely with the enforcement agencies to address this," he said in response to the statement from Malacca Transport, Works and Public Amenities committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sofi Abdul Wahab on the state government's intention to meet with PLUS officials over the issue.
Mohd Sofi on Dec 11 said a significant number of lorries and trailers ended up parking along the NSE due to lack of space at the R&R as bays are occupied by smaller vehicles from midnight to 4am.
The situation is visible daily along the exit of Ayer Keroh R&R area (southbound), apart from the exit point to the Ayer Keroh toll plaza, here.
Mohd Sofi had garnered the feedback from expressway users following The Star's report about heavy vehicles driving above the speed limit and parking haphazardly along the NSE on Dec 8.
