BMW Group Malaysia, ParkEasy, Shell Malaysia and Sunway Group introduce New Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays.
BMW Group Malaysia earlier today unveiled the new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays at Sunway Pyramid today. This new venture was done together in partnership with ParkEasy, Shell Malaysia and Sunway Group. The launch of the new parking arrangement via a smartphone or mobile device application forms part of BMW Group Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to drive e-mobility or Visionary Mobility forward in Malaysia.
There will be 10 charging bays that will span across three major Sunway Group properties with five bays available in Sunway Pyramid first, three in Sunway Pinnacle, and two in Sunway Velocity. ParkEasy, the provider of the parking system is offering this with the support from Shell Malaysia and is expanding and also looking for other shopping malls to offer such facilities.
These ParkEasy bays are unique in that they are located at Premium parking locations within the complexes and have apps that will control the opening and closing of the parking bays as well as the reservation of how long a time you need to use the charging bay / parking spot. This would also prevent hogging of such charging bays as to use the system, you need to book a slot, and the pay for the time used in the bay. Unlike the open style charging stations, which somehow allow hogging by those who aren't using it for charging their Plug in Hybrid cars. This system would alleviate this as to use the bays, a fee is charged. Well, this is the future as someone has to pay for the electricity and nothing is free if you think about it.
The ParkEasy platform is a mobile application that will allow electric vehicle (EV) or PHEV users to reserve a spot at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays up to 60 minutes ahead, assuring drivers of parking and charging availability. Powered by BMW i Charging facilities, users will receive complimentary recharging to replenish their vehicles’ batteries, as the credits in their ParkEasy mobile application will only be deducted for the reservation and hourly use of the parking bays. This cashless transaction also intends to cultivate ethical charging behaviour among the EV and PHEV users.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group said, “Sustainability is not an abstract concept to us. The Sunway Group itself was founded on the concept of sustainable development. This area where we are gathered today was once a barren land of disused and abandoned mining pools. Sunway rehabilitated the land, restored the ecosystem and developed Malaysia’s first integrated green township. The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding father, described it as “transforming a wasteland into a wonderland” when he visited us. Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is now home to a vibrant community of more than 200,000 people living, working, playing, and studying in a safe, healthy and connected environment; and we are not finished yet. We plan to integrate technology even more deeply to establish Sunway City Kuala Lumpur as a model “smart sustainable city” of the 21st century. Today’s initiative marks another step in this direction.”
Mr. Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, meanwhile, said, “Globally, Malaysia is amongst the world’s most progressive countries in driving the Story of Visionary Mobility further for the BMW Group. This signifies not only a strong demand for electro-mobility in the country but the need for its long-term sustainability. To facilitate this vision, BMW Group Malaysia will continue to expand the accessibility of charging facilities to electrified vehicle drivers nationwide.”
Hoelzl added that with over 20 BMW i Charging Facilities across Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia looks forward to growing the numbers with ParkEasy and Shell Malaysia to further pave the way for the Mobility of the Future in the country with the new Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays, and hope to see more of such initiatives in the future.
It would seem strange for some to hear that Shell Malaysia, an oil & gas company has its foot in such a venture. But not really so as eventually, a company like Shell will be seen as an energy provider, not just an oil & gas provider but other forms of energy for vehicles including renewable energy or electricity. I mean, eventually, recharging stations could replace fuel stations, so this makes sense for them to place their branding (and funding) for such specific parking / charging bays.
Datuk Iain Lo, Chairman of Shell Malaysia said, “As Shell ventures on touchpoints beyond our Retail stations and into premium establishments, our main focus is to enhance our customers’ journey and offer an end-to-end solution for convenience. The collaboration with ParkEasy, in partnership with BMW Group Malaysia and the Sunway Group, gives us the opportunity to continue serving our customers with new technological ways to enhance their experience with us.”
Exclusive BMW privileges from using ParkEasy
Starting July, owners of BMW Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be entitled to exclusive BMW Privileges at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays with the usual Terms & Conditions applicable. They include an e-starter pack for new BMW PHEV owners and an e-gift card to existing BMW PHEV owners for the use of the facilities at the Sunway Group properties. Now, they can enjoy the BMWMY promo code to redeem five ParkEasy credits for use at the Reserve + Shell Recharge Bays. The promo code is available from today to 31st July 2019, and is limited to 2,000 users.
Mr. Warren Chan, CEO of ParkEasy while explaining what ParkEasy is all about said that, “We developed ParkEasy as means of increasing parking efficiency and reduce the time spent looking around for a parking spot. When the opportunity to collaborate surfaced with Shell Malaysia, who then partnered us with BMW Group Malaysia and Sunway Group, we took the chance knowing full well that ParkEasy can successfully facilitate and enhance the charging behaviours of PHEV drivers in Malaysia with our parking reservation service. Working together with Shell Malaysia who initiated this idea, is one of our first steps towards more innovations yet to come.”
BMW Group Malaysia’s portfolio of Visionary Mobility is also supported by the ChargEV platform through its partnership with the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation. The BMW ChargeNow service, which is offered as part of the BMW 360° ELECTRIC programme, also grants straightforward access to partner charging facilities like ChargEV, where customers can enjoy 24/7 support and access to all charging locations in ChargEV’s growing network nationwide.
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