In the 1990s, PLUS Malaysia Berhad began constructing the North-South Expressway running along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia from Johor Bahru to the border with Thailand. Today, the 748-km highway is a major artery for land transport as well as providing travellers with an easy and quick connection between major towns and cities.
As the concessionaire with the longest single highway network in the country, PLUS Malaysia Berhad can also play an important role in supporting the switch to electric vehicles. The main issue for EV owners is finding places to recharge their vehicles on long journeys and the many Rest and Service Areas (R&R) are good places for recharging stations.
Some companies have already set up charging stations at selected R&R locations and petrol stations along the N-S Expressway, and it is now possible to drive an EV the whole length of the expressway without having range anxiety.
PLUS teams up with Yinson Greentech Malaysia
Now, PLUS is also taking the initiative to develop and operate Integrated Retail & Electrical Vehicle Charging Hubs at selected locations along its highway. This project will be carried out in a joint venture with Yinson GreenTech Malaysia (through its Green EV Charge Sdn Bhd subsidiary) and Terra PLUS Sdn (a subsidiary of PLUS).
Through the joint-venture, PLUS will lead the development and management of the Hub’s commercial retail and F&B components, whilst Yinson GreenTech will be responsible for the installation, operation, and management of EV chargers. These Hubs will be differentiated from other EV charging points by an enhanced stopover experience.
Seremban R&R to be first
The first development will be at the Seremban Rest and Service Area (Southbound) and is expected to be ready by 2027. The availability of DC chargers at the site will contribute to the charging network which must grow as the EV population grows. To date, 112 DC fast chargers have been installed along PLUS highways, exceeding the 2025 target.
“This collaboration marks a strategic milestone in supporting the national Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2030 and our aspirations towards a sustainable and smart highway for enhanced travel experience for our highway customers,” said Datuk Nik Airina Nik Jaffar, PLUS Managing Director.
“The Hub, which is the first of its kind in the nation, will be pioneered on PLUS’ highway. The hub serves beyond just providing EV charging facilities and represents a transformative step forward in integrating mobility and lifestyle services for our highway customers, setting new standards for rest and service areas,” she added.
