Gentari Green Mobility, a subsidiary of Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari) has signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) with Bangkok-based electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider Evolt Technology Company Limited (Evolt) to explore collaboration to expand the EV charging infrastructure and solutions across Southeast Asia. Both companies are exploring other potential collaboration areas in renewal energy and green mobility solutions which include cross-border EV charging.
Gentari’s Chief Green Mobility Officer Shah Yang Razalli said “This MoU marks our inaugural foray into regional infrastructure development in Southeast Asia. Gentari aims to establish a beachhead in Thailand, and this collaboration with Evolt will see us synergising Evolt’s market leadership in Thailand and regional expertise with Gentari’s goal to expand our green mobility network across key markets in Asia Pacific. Together, Gentari and Evolt will explore potential investments into co-developing regional charging infrastructure beginning in Thailand, with a focus on commercial locations such as shopping malls, hotels and offices, as well
as high-traffic transit hubs. Meanwhile, as the regional road network becomes better integrated, we also see the potential in exploring roaming services in charging infrastructure that will offer EV drivers a seamless charging experience even when driving across borders.”
Meanwhile, Evolt’s founder and CEO Poonpat Loharjun said, “The strategic partnership with Gentari marks an important milestone for Evolt to accelerate the expansion of EV charging stations. We have the expertise to identify the right locations for every end-user lifestyle, both at leisure and at work, that offers convenience to access, a seamless journey for commuters, and sufficient coverage. Gentari has been successful in rolling out more than 250 charging points in India and Malaysia and is gaining popularity and user trust in the region. This MoU will see us collaborating in the investment and expansion of charging stations in Thailand, thus increasing our capability and readiness for EV charging business opportunities in Asia Pacific.”
According to Evolt’s website, they currently have over 200 stations in Thailand consisting of 120 DC chargers and 80 AC chargers. The company has partnered with several automotive brands such as Porsche and MG, as well as retail and property developer Central Pattana Plc, which manages Central shopping centres in the country.
Besides adding more chargers in ASEAN, the partnership’s potential to offer EV roaming service would provide greater convenience for cross-border travellers. This could potentially mean Malaysian drivers will be able to charge their EVs in Thailand using their existing app such as Setel.
Gentari through its affiliated entities has deployed 151 charging points across 32 locations in Malaysia, as well as 132 charging points in India as of 5th January 2023. As a green energy arm of Petronas, aims to be Southeast Asia’s preferred green mobility solutions provider with the aim to capture 10% market share across key Asia Pacific markets by 2030. Their current mid-term target is to deploy 9,000 public chargers by 2026 with an anchored presence in Malaysia and India.
The company has recently launched several EV charging hubs including X Park Sunway Serene and Bangi Golf Club. The X Park Sunway Serene location is home to Southeast Asia’s first 350kW DC charger capable of delivering 10-80% charge in 18 minutes for compatible 800V-based vehicles. Meanwhile, the Bangi Golf Club hub has the country’s first Kempower Dynamic Power sharing chargers that can dynamically share 200kW of DC charging across four different nozzles according to vehicle demand. Gentari is also the first to offer kWh-based EV charging which offers equitable and fair pricing for EV charging.
