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KUCHING, Sept 22: A tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) to start a range of services to support Sarawak and Sabah’s transition to electric vehicles including trucks with swappable batteries, has been signed recently.
The MoU was signed between Elenergy Enviro Sdn Bhd, a company which carries out battery swapping initiatives for lorries, cargo trucks and lorries for Southeast Asia, with two Sarawak-based companies namely Titian Jujur Sdn Bhd and Visi Utama Sdn Bhd.
The signing ceremony held during the opening of Sabah International Expo 2023, was witnessed by Sabah’s Minister of International Trade, Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Phoong Jin Zhe and Sarawak’s Deputy Minister of International Trade and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.
According to a press release, Malaysia is committed to a greener future, aiming for 38 per cent of total car sales to be electric vehicles by 2040, with a particular focus on commercial EVs like buses and trucks.
However, some obstacles stand in the way, such as lack of charging stations and limitation due to time consumed for charging.
Through the MoU, Elenergy Enviro has appointed the two companies to provide a range of services to support Sarawak and Sabah’s transition to electric vehicles including trucks with swappable batteries which allow for drivers to change or swap the battery in just five minutes, as well as carry with them extra batteries for emergency use.
“Understanding the high cost for truck owners and logistic companies to convert their vehicles from combustible engines running on fossil fuel to engines running on clean energy, the company plans to offer battery leasing services, which avoids high initial capex of purchasing and avoid maintenance and upgrade costs, making transition to electric vehicles more cost-effective,” it said.
The areas of cooperation included operation of EV trucks and battery sales, leasing and maintenance business for trucks and cargo trucks; operation and the business of the EV battery swap station and AC/DC charging station for trucks; and development of rest and relax areas along highways to provide EV charging stations and swapping services alongside other supporting services such as coffee shops, marts and resting areas.
The trio will also embark on the development of battery collection and recycling hubs to support its main objectives; jointly organise, campaign and promote awareness of the usage and advantages of AC/DC charger stations and EV battery swap stations in East Malaysia through seminars, roundtables, forums and road shows.
At the same time, Elenergy Enviro is also looking at working with governments of Sabah and Sarawak to identify suitable locations for its battery charging and swapping along major trunk roads as well as area to set up its battery recycling hubs. – DayakDaily
