Taycan owners will be happy to hear that they will be able to embark on a long distance journey soon
The Porsche Taycan is an impressive electric car but insufficient charging infrastructures outside the city centre is hindering owners from taking their precious cars on long road trips.
However, this will soon be a thing of the past as Porsche Asia Pacific and Shell have announced a strategic collaboration to implement Southeast Asia’s first cross-border high performance EV charging network.
With 12 charging points planned at six Shell stations located along the North-South Highway in Malaysia, the move will enable EV drivers to travel between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
According to Porsche, each Shell station will be equipped with a 180 kW direct-current (DC) charger with two CCS Type 2 charging connectors. This allows a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles simultaneously at up to 90 kW each.
The charging network will be introduced in stages, starting with four stations (Seremban R&R Northbound, Seremban R&R Southbound, Jalan Ayer Hitam and Tangkak Layby) in the second half of this year and the rest (Simpang Pulai R&R and Tapah R&R) by the first half of 2022.
More information on this is available in the following press release:
PRESS RELEASE
Porsche Asia Pacific and Shell today jointly announced the implementation of Southeast Asia’s first cross-border high performance charging (HPC) network with 12 charge points at six Shell stations strategically located along Malaysia’s North-South highway, offering EV drivers the possibility of smooth and convenient travel between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang.
The partnership further demonstrates the commitment between Porsche and Shell to drive the future of electric mobility in Southeast Asia by spearheading connectivity between the two countries, which handle one of the world’s busiest international land border crossings at the Sultan Iskandar Building and Woodlands Checkpoint.
“The ASEAN markets hold strong potential for Porsche to unlock and we see an opportunity to shape electric mobility in the region. Our high-performance network across Singapore and Malaysia will serve as a lighthouse project for other countries to follow,” says Matthias Becker, Vice President Region Overseas and Emerging Markets of Porsche AG.
“While the question of future electric mobility is a global one, Southeast Asia amply demonstrates the complexity and diversity of both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As more customers adopt EVs and governments look to meet their climate goals, the partnership between Porsche and Shell is one of many examples on how industry players must come together to play a vital role to help the transportation sector decarbonise and pave way for cleaner mobility solutions for customers,” says Amr Adel, Senior Vice President, Mobility East, Shell.
Highest charging capacity across Singapore and Malaysia
Through this partnership, six Shell stations will be equipped with 180 kW direct-current (DC) chargers, offering the highest charging capacity across Singapore and Malaysia. The chargers come with two CCS Type 2 charging connectors, allowing a single vehicle to be charged at up to 180 kW, or two vehicles to charge simultaneously at up to 90 kW each. The offering will be rolled out in stages with four stations to be ready in the second half of 2021 and two additional stations by the first half of 2022.
The sites will be integrated in the existing Shell charging networks, comprising 18 Shell Recharge 50kW fast charge points at Shell stations and 87 Greenlot public charge points in Singapore, as well as 18 “Reserve + Shell Recharge” charge points in Malaysia. Furthermore, they will complement the established 175kW high performance chargers available at all Porsche Centres in Malaysia, as well as the growing “Porsche Destination Charging” network at selected hotels, airports, sports clubs, and other lifestyle venues.
As electric mobility starts gaining momentum in Singapore and Malaysia, the network will enable smooth, convenient, and reliable electric road trips between the two countries. Once launched, the chargers will be available for all EVs that utilise the CCS Type 2 charging connector, which is widely used across both countries, with Porsche customers enjoying special rates at Shell Recharge.
Shell’s new 180kW high performance chargers are equipped to charge the Porsche Taycan from zero to 80% battery capacity in around 30 minutes, providing up to 390km (WLTP) of extra travel distance. Shell is also offering additional benefits to Porsche customers such as reserving the HPC points in Malaysia in advance using their mobile app, and preferential prices for food and beverages at the Shell Select shops.
“The Porsche and Shell partnership redefines performance in charging for Southeast Asia, offering an assurance of both speed and range for drivers of electric cars, such as the Porsche Taycan. Inspired by a shared passion for adventures on the road, we are committed to delivering a fascinating electric mobility experience characterised by the features that are decisive for Porsche: pure emotion and maximum driving pleasure,” says Arthur Willmann, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Asia Pacific.
Setting new standards in electric mobility together
Establishing a charging network that connects Singapore and Malaysia is in line with the Stuttgart sports car manufacturer’s goal of setting new standards in the field of sustainability and future mobility. It is also part of their dedication to shaping the future of sports cars in Southeast Asia by developing mobility in and across key markets for Porsche Asia Pacific as part of the growth strategy in the region.
The charging network complements the locations and retail formats for current and future Porsche enthusiasts in Malaysia, such as the newest Porsche Centre Ara Damansara as well as the upcoming Porsche Centre Johor Bahru, which are designed to foster brand experience and exclusivity.
“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. We have been investing in building EV charging infrastructure to reduce range anxiety for our customers and this initiative is one of many examples of Shell providing solutions catered to our customers’ need for cleaner energy solutions. In 2019, we introduced EV charging in Singapore and in 2020, we introduced solar-powered retail stations in Malaysia. Now EV customers across the borders can experience Shell Recharge, and also recharge themselves with drinks and snacks at our Shell Select shops,” says Shairan Huzani Husain, Cluster Managing Director, Mobility Malaysia and Singapore, Shell.
Shell is aiming to expand its EV charging offer to 500,000 stations by 2025 globally. The partnership with Porsche and other initiatives are part of Shell’s strategy to accelerate its transformation into a provider of net-zero emissions energy products and services while giving EV drivers choices to charge their cars be it at home, workplace, shopping malls or at Shell stations.
Thousands of commuters travelled between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang every week prior to COVID-19. While it is not possible to do so with current travel restrictions, Shell and Porsche are gearing up for a time when the borders will eventually reopen and commuters will be able to travel again across the two countries in a safe and more sustainable manner.
