PRO-NET to introduce charging stations with e.MAS branding

When PROTON announced its intention to offer New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), starting initially with smart EVs, it had a long-term plan which would be more than just selling vehicles. It would take an entirely new approach to the business by establishing a new subsidiary dedicated to NEVs called PRO-NET (Proton New Energy Technology) in August 2022.

Having a separate company would allow better focus on NEVs which are not just fully electric vehicles but also those with other types of electrified powertrains.

Creating an EV ecosystem
As part of its mission and also in line with the government’s push towards electrification in motor vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality, PRO-NET was to create a comprehensive EV ecosystem in Malaysia. This ecosystem would serve smart EV customers as well as those of the Proton e.MAS brand that followed in 2024.

From the extensive and thorough market studies it had carried out, PRO-NET saw that the recharging issue was among the main concerns of consumers. Back then, there were virtually no charging stations and for anyone thinking of buying an EV, it was a discouraging fact.

However, with the government’s urging, the private sector began to set up charging stations quickly to meet the target of 10,000 charging points by the end of 2025 (only around 5,500 were installed by the deadline).

Several companies, known as Charge Point Operators (CPOs), were involved in setting up the charging stations around the country. Each had their own apps and payment systems, meaning that EV owners had to keep a few different apps on their smartphone in order to have access to different charging stations and also to find them.

PRO-NET’s initiative
PRO-NET took the initiative to develop a database of charging stations which were integrated into its digital map, providing owners with easy location of the nearest charging station. Initially, this was available for smart vehicles and then when Proton e.MAS was launched, its vehicles also used the same database which drew on information provided by leading CPOs.

This came to be known as the Integrated Live Charging Map and was the first of its type by an automaker in Malaysia. The map is ‘live’ because it not only shows the location of the charging station and how far it is, but also its status – whether in use or available.

This will make it easier for the driver to decide where to go and not waste time arriving at a charging station only to find it is not available. And because it is integrated with the vehicle’s navigation system, selecting the location also provides route guidance to the charging station.

 

The Integrated Live Charging Map is among the more notable achievements of PRO-NET. Today, it has over 90% of all the public charging stations nationwide (including those in high-rise residential buildings such as apartments and condominiums).

Charging stations with e.MAS branding
PRO-NET has now gone one step further with the introduction of e.MAS co-branded charging facilities across Malaysia. It has formed strategic partnerships with three major local CPOs – DC Handal, JomCharge, and chargEV – which will offer tangible benefits to all e.MAS owners.

The joint initiative, to start during the third quarter of 2026, will first be seen at a selected high-traffic venue before expanding nationwide. Rather than deploying isolated infrastructure independently, the company is focusing on strategic locations where vehicle owners naturally spend time during their daily routine or travels.

Benefits for e.MAS owners
Drivers who utilise the official Proton e.MAS mobile application to initiate and pay for their charging sessions at these participating stations will receive discounted rates. The specific commercial terms and pricing structures are set to be finalized through mutual agreements between PRO-NET and each CPO.

From an operational standpoint, collaborating with established CPOs allows PRO-NET to broaden its branded presence without reinventing the wheel.

These CPOs already possess the necessary technical background, regulatory groundwork, and customer support channels to resolve operational issues on the ground. This ensures that owners of e.MAS EVs and PHEVs have access to functional support when recharging their vehicles.

Furthermore, the collaboration aligns with broader national policies regarding local supply chain involvement. By partnering directly with domestic CPOs and service providers, the initiative supports greater local vendor participation in the development of Malaysia’s broader EV infrastructure.

Proton e.MAS – young brand but already dominant in EV segment