All geared up: Arul (left) checking out an EV charging bay at Seremban Gateway.
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government plans to have at least 300 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the state by next year, said state exco member J. Arul Kumar.
The state transport, local government development and housing committee chairman said this is necessary to help meet the Federal Government’s target of having 10,000 EV charging bays by then.
He said the state government has come up with a set of guidelines, which include requiring local councils to grant approvals for setting up EV infrastructure between seven and 14 days.
“We already have 69 EV charging stations and applications for another 51 are being processed,” he said, adding that the state government has also received proposals to set up another 300 charging stations.
Arul said the guidelines, which are in line with the Energy Commission’s “Guide on Electric Vehicle Charging System”, contain provisions on the planning, design and approvals required for EV charging bays.
“This includes where the charging station should be set up, the need for a main power isolation switch, an automatic sprinkler and fire detection system, fire hydrants and other safety features such as the vehicle fire blanket to help contain flames or smoke in the event of a fire,” he said.
Asked if the state government would make it mandatory for developers undertaking new projects to set up EV infrastructure, Arul said there are no plans for this yet.
“For now, we wish to encourage them to do so.
“I am certain that many are in favour of this, as the construction of the country’s first green technology and new energy vehicle manufacturing and assembly plant is already under way in Chembong,” he said, adding that several other EV-related industries are also taking shape in the country.
Arul said there is also a need for more EV charging stations as the sale of such vehicles is showing an uptrend.
