Hotel Casuarina@Meru Installs fast EV chargers in collaboration with TNB

KUALA LUMPUR:  Hotel Casuarina@Meru in Ipoh is set to become a key EV charging point in Perak, following a new partnership with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

Under a leasing agreement signed this week, the hotel will soon offer fast EV charging to both guests and the public—part of the state’s wider push for low-carbon mobility.

Fastest Hotel EV Charger in Ipoh by Q3 2025

The collaboration will see TNB install:

• One 120 kW DC fast charger (dual CCS2)

• Two 22 kW AC chargers

These chargers—part of TNB’s Elektron network—will be accessible 24/7, with payments managed via a dedicated mobile app. They’re expected to go live by the third quarter of 2025, with dedicated EV bays set up on-site.

Backed by the State Government and PKNPk

The agreement ceremony at Casuarina Convention Centre was officiated by Perak Menteri Besar YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani bin Mohamad, with key figures from TNB and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk) in attendance.

YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani called the project a practical step in delivering Perak Sejahtera 2030’s Flagship 12, focused on renewable energy and green infrastructure:

“To build a green economy that truly benefits the people, we need investments like this that drive innovation and create jobs.”

Boosting EV Infrastructure Statewide

Currently, Perak has 149 EV chargers at 56 locations, meeting nearly 30% of its 2025 goal of 500 charging points. The Casuarina@Meru installation aims to enhance access not only in urban areas but also in tourism zones and rural destinations.

According to Dato’ Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin, Chairman of Casuarina Meru Sdn Bhd:

“These will be the fastest EV chargers offered by any hotel in Ipoh. It’s about improving guest convenience while pushing sustainable tourism forward.”

Real-World Demo with Proton’s e.MAS EV

At the ceremony, attendees witnessed a live demo of the EV chargers using Proton’s e.MAS electric SUV, showcasing real-world compatibility and speed.

This project also aligns with Malaysia’s national goal of installing 10,000 EV charging points by 2025—a milestone currently just 36% complete.

Part of a Broader Green Push

Perak Corporation Berhad (via PKNPk) is also rolling out other sustainability projects at the hotel, including:

• Solar panels on hotel rooftops and parking bays

• Solar-powered streetlights at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah

PKNPk CEO Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak stressed that EV charging is just one piece of a broader decarbonisation strategy:

“It’s about making Perak a future-ready, sustainable destination that attracts both investors and tourists.”