Yinson continues EV journey with CelcomDigi

PETALING JAYA: Yinson Holdings Bhd will team up with CelcomDigi Bhd to promote and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

The collaboration will enable Yinson to leverage on CelcomDigi’s network to power up the connectivity for chargeEV, Malaysia’s largest charge point operator as well as for rydeEV and driveEV.

Yinson recently launched rydeEv, an e-bike that is fully electric and uses batteries that are swappable.

Group chief executive officer Lim Chern Yuan said the collaboration was part of the sustainable development goals that both companies have with the aim of achieving net-zero.

“The aim was to price the bikes cheaper than a regular motorbike using petrol. These bikes are leased to own, so after about three years, a person is able to purchase it for just RM1,” he told reporters after Yinson’s memorandum of understanding signing with CelcomDigi yesterday.According to Lim, the group has about 20 battery swapping cabinets for the e-bikes, but it planned to have more by the end of the year.

“By year-end, we want to have 100 stations for every 20km across Selangor and the Klang Valley. The e-bikes will be ready by the end of October for deployment,” he said.

Lim added the collaboration would assist the Bottom 40 group as the leasing requires no upfront payment.

“The prices of the e-bikes start at RM299 and are inclusive of maintenance plus an unlimited number of battery swaps.

“We hope that this will not only further the EV agenda but also help the lower income groups,” he said.

Meanwhile, CelcomDigi chief executive officer Datuk Idham Nawawi said it was important to provide ways for the masses to be a part of the EV industry.

“The automotive industry is undergoing radical transformation, with automakers agreeing that the next five years will bring about more changes than the previous three decades, driven by the significant possibilities brought about by EVs in particular,” he said.

Idham said the collaboration marked a significant milestone for both parties, whereby a telecommunication company has partnered with a global energy infrastructure to innovate the way EVs are presented to the masses.

Idham said CelcomDigi would be investing in terms of capital as well as assets, knowledge and access to customers.

“We are excited to work with Yinson to drive green-tech adoption among Malaysian consumers to support the nation’s energy goals as outlined by the government’s new industrial master plan 2030,” he added.