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Malaysia rolls out ultra-fast EV charging on highways

EV charging station in a city location with a focus on clean energy and modern transport.
EV charging station in a city location with a focus on clean energy and modern transport. Photo: Giant Asparagus/Pexels

Teased on its socials, the agreement outlines a phased rollout of ultra-fast chargers capable of delivering up to 1,500 kW per station. The technology, branded as Flash Charging, promises to add 200 km of range in roughly five minutes for compatible battery packs.

Flash-charging MoU signed by BYD and Gentari

The first pilot sites will be installed on the North-South Expressway and the East-Coast Highway, targeting high-traffic corridors between Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Each location will host at least two charging stalls, with plans to expand to ten stalls per site by 2028.

Gentari will handle site acquisition, civil works, and grid connection, while BYD will supply the charging modules and integrate its vehicle-to-grid communication platform. The MoU also mentions a revenue-sharing model, though specific percentages were not disclosed.

Potential impact on highway travel

BYD’s flash-charging system is already in operation in several Chinese cities, where it has recorded average charging sessions of 4.5 minutes for a 200 km range increase. The Malaysian rollout will be the first outside China, making it a benchmark for other regional markets.

Gentari’s CEO indicated that the partnership includes a joint study on battery-health impacts, aiming to ensure that high-power charging does not accelerate degradation.

New model rollouts and market incentives

Upcoming Denza D9 details have surfaced, highlighting a front-wheel-drive configuration delivering 465 PS and an NEDC-rated range of 730 km. The model also incorporates the Flash Charging capability, positioning it as a flagship for BYD’s premium line-up in the region.

Perodua’s QV-E electric sedan now benefits from a RM10,000 cash rebate, lowering its on-road price to RM53,499 when paired with Battery-as-a-Service, while the full-purchase option sits at RM77,499.

Broader charging ecosystem and industry moves

Beyond BYD’s flash stations, JomCharge has rebranded its ultra-fast DC chargers above 200 kW as JomChargeX, targeting a cumulative capacity of 1,200 kW across the nation. The rollout emphasizes black and orange-wrapped units, designed to complement existing networks.

Pos Malaysia’s electric fleet, now numbering 1,585 vehicles, has logged nearly 29 million kilometres since 2023, with one-third of parcel deliveries completed by EVs. The company attributes operational efficiency gains to the expanded charging footprint.

Additional manufacturers are advancing their presence: the TQ Wuling Porta EV panel van entered the market with a 102-horsepower motor and a range of roughly 300 km, priced near RM100,000. Leapmotor’s B10 will be assembled locally in a single Design variant, matching the CBU price of RM119,000.