Local Govt Ministry sets two-year deadline for operators to submit applications for existing EV charging bays

• Minister of Local Government Development Nga Kor Ming said the programme aims to ensure that CPOs adhere to the planning and fire safety guidelines provided by PLANMalaysia and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 12): Charger point operators (CPOs) have been given a two-year period to submit applications for existing completed and operational electric vehicle charging bays (EVCBs) to local authorities, as announced by Minister of Local Government Development Nga Kor Ming.

Nga said the programme aims to ensure that CPOs adhere to the planning and fire safety guidelines provided by PLANMalaysia and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

"As of Aug 30, 2023, 1,246 EVCBs have been constructed, with 1,007 being alternating current (AC) type devices and 239 being direct current (DC) type devices, which are operational in shopping malls, car showrooms, hotels, and resorts for public use," he said during a news conference in Parliament on Thursday.

According to Nga, the National Physical Planning Council approved the Electric Vehicle Charging Bay Planning Guidelines (EVCB GPP) and the application procedures on Sept 18 this year.

The guideline has outlined four initiatives, as Nga stated, to expedite and simplify the application procedures. First, for CPOs planning to install EVCBs in existing buildings, a pre-consultation with utility providers, such as Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), is necessary.

The approval process typically takes seven to 14 days, depending on factors such as the type of device, design, and location (whether it's outdoors, indoors, or on an open rooftop). The departments in local authority, like the Building Control Department or Engineering Department, will be authorised to provide certification. Additionally, the ministry will also implement a self-regulation or self-assessment method, overseen by a certified consultant," said Nga.

Nga also urged CPOs to prioritise the development of EVCBs at outdoor locations.

Furthermore, the ministry, through PLANMalaysia, has introduced the National Electric Vehicle Charging Station Dashboard, which has successfully identified 10,596 suitable locations for EVCB installations, thus saving time for investors and industry players.

Concerning the EVCB GPP, Nga explained that it offers planning and design guidance for the establishment of EVCBs in both existing and new developments, taking into account the type of charging device. These guidelines include aspects like the location and placement of the EVCBs, the required quantity of EVCBs, the size of each EVCB, the provision of a main electrical isolation switch, and fire safety requirements.

Nga also shared that the government has set a target of installing 10,000 EVCBs nationwide by 2025.

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