‘We work closely with partners like EV Connection to fine-tune our network, ensuring that charging stations are reliable when people go to charge their vehicles,’ said Claire Featherstone
IN a world where innovation and efficiency intersect, smart mobility is the latest buzzword and a new area many businesses are eager to dive into.
At the forefront of this transformative journey is Maxis Business, a key player connecting the future of smart mobility.
Claire Featherstone, head of Corporate and Enterprise Practices at Maxis Business, emphasises the essence of smart mobility in revolutionising transportation for sustainability and efficiency.
She highlights the need for all modes of transportation to be part of an “integrated network” where relevant data is shared.
In an interview on BFM’s Tech Talk, Featherstone said: “On the commuter side it could give real-time visibility to passengers to improve their journey and businesses with a fleet to deliver parcels more efficiently.
“But for all this to work, entire ecosystems should be online and connected to the internet 24/7, and that is where Maxis comes in.”
Leading the EV charge
Maxis Business is a leading connectivity provider enabling connected vehicles.
Featherstone said Maxis Business expects to connect more electric vehicles to its IoT solutions with the government’s agenda like the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).
“It is important for Maxis Business to work with players like EV Connection to accelerate the go-to market in this space to drive customer adoption of electric vehicles,” said Featherstone.
Maxis Business provides IoT connectivity solutions to EV Connection, which operates the JomCharge electric vehicle charging network and one of the key players driving Malaysia’s EV ecosystem.
The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is a pivotal aspect of this transformation. As the government aims to attract more industry players to set up offices and factories to spur EV growth in Malaysia, initiatives like Budget 2024 incentives, including tax relief for home charger installation and subscription to EV charging stations, reflect the country’s commitment to the EV industry.
Charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting the growth of EVs, and Maxis Business recognises the importance of reliable connectivity in this aspect.
“We work closely with partners like EV Connection to fine-tune our network, ensuring charging stations are reliable when people go to charge their vehicles,” said Featherstone.
To address EV anxiety – both in terms of range and charge – Maxis Business focuses on a carefully designed customer journey.
Featherstone emphasised the need for real-time information through the JomCharge app, providing users with updates on queue status and allowing them to plan their time effectively while waiting.
On the challenges faced by EV charging point operators, she said: “Operators strive for operational excellence. They need access to a dashboard to see that all their assets in the field are working well.”
Through Maxis Business’ IoT connectivity management dashboard, EV operators can assess the status of their charging point ecosystem, ensuring it is operational and addresses concerns of users who depend on a functioning charging point for their long distance journeys.
Reliability and connectivity
Reliability and connectivity are key to ensuring confidence among EV users, according to EV Connection managing director Lee Yuen How.
It is also important to have a comprehensive electric charging network for people to have confidence in purchasing electric vehicles.
“If someone is going on a long-distance journey, he is counting on all the charging stations to be working. If one charge fails, he may not be able to get to his next destination.
“Reliability and connectivity are therefore key to ensuring confidence for the EV user,” he said.
‘Maxis Business offered a reasonable price, allowing EV Connection to maintain connectivity cost competitiveness,’ according to Lee Yuen How.
Lee shared that EV Connection’s partnership with Maxis Business addresses three critical pain points in their operation – connection reliability, ease of management, and cost competitiveness.
“In terms of connection reliability, Maxis stepped in to enhance our connectivity at certain sites with no line.
“We have over 400 charging stations scattered across diverse locations – from basements and multi-storey facilities to open car parks and rural areas – but Maxis has been able to provide us with information about the coverage of the areas, reducing the need for our teams to navigate these areas themselves.”
Lee finds that Maxis’ IoT connectivity is more reliable and consistent. Apart from that, the IoT connectivity management dashboard enables EV Connection to monitor each SIM card for better visibility on usage and operation support.
Lee added that Maxis Business offered a reasonable price, allowing EV Connection to maintain connectivity cost competitiveness while focusing on rolling out more chargers.
Beyond conventional charging stations, Lee also revealed exciting developments made possible through the partnership with Maxis Business, including the introduction of the first modular battery-supported EV charger at the Behrang (Perak) north-bound lay-by on the North-South Expressway. This innovation aims to elevate the charging experience for users on the go.
The EV smart car dashboard provides users with real-time information on queue status, enabling them to plan their time on the road effectively.
“Maxis has come up with an innovative solution that provides us with the reliability, connectivity and bandwidth needed to monitor these crucial assets along the highways,” he said.
Indeed, Maxis Business doesn’t stop at just providing top-notch network connectivity; it goes the extra mile to assist its customers – whether they’re charging operators or EV providers – in discovering the right digital solutions for a seamless journey.
Maxis Business will continue working with ecosystem players to co-create the right solutions to ensure the right outcomes are achieved in the EV space. Click here to find out more about Maxis Business.
