Alongside the launch of the National Automotive Policy (NAP 2014) Roadmaps earlier today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been exchanged between Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) and three other parties on the development and manufacturing of an electric bus, lithium-ion battery and Public Transport Information System (PTIS).
The signed cooperation involves MAI, ARCA Corporation Sdn Bhd, AutoCRC Ltd and Swinburne University of Technology, and will see out the project from the research to commercialisation processes. It’s an extension to the existing cooperation between Malaysia and Australia under the Malaysia Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA).
Commercial release of some elements and key components of this “next-generation transport technology” will begin in the second quarter of this year, though the electric bus project will only bear its first working prototype in the first quarter of 2015. Commercialisation of the E-Bus is expected to commence in 2016.
As announced, the electric vehicle (EV) driveline – designed specifically for the E-Bus – will be a modular system that can be tailor-suited to fit various applications. As such, it can be fully customised to meet any passenger capacity and/or range requirements.
The first planned deployment of the E-Bus will be in Putrajaya and Langkawi, due to their relatively simple routing and range requirements. Local company ARCA Corporation will provide an outlay of RM200 million towards these projects, which covers all the necessary infrastructure groundwork as well.
Next in line will be greater Kuala Lumpur, followed by the possibility of supplying the E-Bus across South East Asia. Indonesian capital Jakarta, in particular, has been singled out as a big potential market.
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this project sounds great. hope it doesnt fizzle out or get endless delays.
MAI, AP issue also not solved, still want to sign MOU?
Too ambitious..our local bus is still like 3rd world…poorly maintained..
I think it depends on which bus company you are talking about. The RapidKL buses are pretty new buses and they are great. I assume you’re referring to Bus Mini? Or other public buses in a more rural area? Just my 2cents.
EV BUS? EV HUB? u cant even manage well malaysia road tarrfic and even road quality…do well ur city planner before talk ur ev dreams cause even worse traffic and transport
Great, but shouldn’t the gov focus on making the roads better first? All the E-Bus will be stranded when they run out of juice in Malaysian traffic jams otherwise.
Putting the cart before the horse…
E bust ?
I thought there was already electric bus in the world … why not just use and enhance them. No need new development.
This 1 I agree.
Just Buy Existing Reliable E-Bus.
RnD malaysia especially case like PRoton – No Reliability.
Breaking Down and High Maintenance make u lost more in the long Run.
Good. Now they got solid reason why bus came late. Electric Bus, slower than normal Bus.
Should include this into EEV project.
Attract Existing E-Bus Market Player to Manufacture it in Malaysia.
Result:
1. no need Rnd, wasting RM200million.
2. Low cost
3. Proven Reliability
4. Boost Malaysia market As well.
If so EGO want Malaysia Own E-Bus.
Should consider Joint Venture instead of start from Scrap.
Low reliability is Very Costly Over the Long Run.
RnD to get high reliability, also not easy and costly.
High Reliability is not something can be achieved in a couple of years.
Oh why why why? why BN only strongholds territories in putrajaya and Langkawi kedah was chosen first base
Over the obvious ?
A Scheme created to enriched the people ( that matters to BN) which is no longer 1malaysia obviously
Sounds good. Hope the output have positive result.