BHPetrol provides Electric/Plug-In Hybrid vehicle charging stations for FREE at the Sg Kayu Ara station, PJ & the Sg Besi Harmony station,

BHPetrol (Boustead Petroleum Marketing Sdn Bhd) recently marked its 11th year in the petroleum business by installing re-charging stations for Electric and Plug-In Hybrid vehicles at two of their stations - the BHPetrol station at Kg Sg Kayu Ara, Petaling Jaya and the one located at Sg Besi Harmony (after the toll plaza towards Seremban). This value added service by BHPetrol is a step by the company into developing a sustainable community and also a small step for the company into other renewal sources of energy.

Yessssssszzz...so many hands required to plug in a Type 2 charging cable.

The charging stations are equipped with the Type 2, three phase 22kW Fast Charger. Owners with Electric vehicles and Plug In Hybrids can charge their cars for free at the dedicated charging bay FREE OF CHARGE. Just bring the Type 2 charging cable which is provided with your vehicle. The charge is free of charge for the moment. Pun intended. 

Of course, there is only one bay per station. This is a community initiative. Free lunches or services often have some waiting involved. Take a look at government hospitals. Although I believe there is only a handful of models sold in Malaysia that can utilise this free service. 

This project is a collaboration between BHPetrol and First Energy Networks Sdn Bhd (FEN). FEN is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tan Chong Group and its aim is to provided EV charging infrastructure to power 'zero emissions' mobility.  

There were four fully electric cars on display at the BHPetrol station at Kayu Ara where the launch was held - these were the BMW i8, Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and the Renault Twizy. There was also the Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid. Some got to try out the Twizy around the station. 

During the launch, BHPetrol Managing Director Mr Tan Kim Thiam (above, left - pictured with Nicholas Tan, Tan Chong Group) made it clear that this was to increase the appeal of the BHPetrol brand and this charging station is a form of convenience for their customers. This is also a way of the future, according to both Mr Tan present, as EV and plug-in hybrids will be making inroads (especially when the cost of batteries get cheaper). 

BHPetrol is taking its first step with this by offering this free service for now. Eventually we may see the opposite of what is happening now, one petrol pump and twenty EV charging stations. By then, a station like this would have to surely charge for the convenience.

Of course, right now those who will have to wait for their cars to be charged (at least a good 15 to 20 minutes for any semblance of adequate juice). What could happen whilst these folks wait is step inside the station's convenience store and maybe buy coffee and food sold there. FYI, the pies are tasty.