By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — The state government has been collaborating with private parties to provide the necessary adequate infrastructure for electric vehicles (EV), to propel its usage in Selangor.
State executive councillor for green technology Hee Loy Sian said installing more EV chargers has become a priority of the state administration at the moment.
“To further improve the usage of EVs in Selangor, we have to tackle the infrastructure issue first.
“We are still lacking EV chargers in the state and we have to ensure the chargers are made available at all places, and not only at selected local councils. We have to install the chargers at all stations, within a reasonable distance from one another.
“Therefore, to promote the use of EV we are collaborating with private companies to provide and install the facilities, not just in parking areas but also in commercial areas. That is our priority,” he said, in response to an additional question from Banting state assemblyman Lau Weng San on EV usage in Selangor, during the State Legislative Assembly sitting earlier today.
Hee added that Selangor intends to be the pioneer state in promoting and using EVs, which was conveyed in the 2021 and 2022 state budget tablings.
“In the 2021 Selangor Budget, the state government announced incentives to encourage the use of EVs. In the 2022 Selangor Budget, we proposed to provide 1,000 EV chargers by this year with collaboration from private parties.
“The integrated infrastructure facilities will make Selangor a pioneer in electric vehicle usage,” he said.
The councillor said EVs, including electric motorcycles, have begun to be accepted by the wider public as one of the most capable and practical forms of transportation, especially in urban areas.
“As of now, some of the local authorities have started implementing the EV initiative, including for electric motorcycles, while the rest are currently reviewing the proposal.
“Among the local councils that have adopted the use of EVs include the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS), the Ampang Jaya City Council (MPAJ) and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).
“Local authorities that have proposed the use of EVs include the Selayang Municipal Council, the Subang Jaya City Council, the Kajang Municipal Council and the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council,” he said.
