BHPetrol opens free charging points for EV and PHEV owners

Owners of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles can now ‘refuel’ their cars at two BHPetrol service stations in Klang Valley for free. The stations that will provide the charging points are Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara in Petaling Jaya and Sungai Besi Harmony (after the southbound toll plaza towards Seremban).

BHPetrol Managing Director, Tan Kim Thiam said that the company will install charging points at more BHPetrol stations to cater the needs of EV and PHEV owners. He said more charging points will be introduced this year, likely in key locations near to the highways such as in Pagoh (Johor), Tapah (Perak), Sungai Dua (Penang), and Karak and Bentong (Pahang) to improve the convenience of EV drivers.

Hoping that it will enhance the company appeal towards the EV users, Tan added, “We are still studying how the trend is. We think the timing is probably right at this moment to introduce this service.”

The installation of the charging facilities has been done in collaboration with First Energy Networks, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Group at a cost of RM 40,000 per location. The sole charging unit at each station is a Hager three-phase, 22kW AC charger which according to First Energy Networks, will fully charge a Nissan Leaf in approximately one hour. The chargers are also compatible to other EV models such as Renault Twizy, Renault Zoe, Volvo XC90 and BMW i8.

According to Tan, a lounge area will be built within the service station’s retail store, where EV or PHEV drivers can wait while their vehicles are being charged. Availability of the charging facility is subject to the petrol station’s operating hours.