MAI signs MoU to develop and build local E-Bus

Electric Bus MOU-3

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.

Electric Bus MOU-1

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.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Learn more:

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • dino years on Feb 06, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    this project sounds great. hope it doesnt fizzle out or get endless delays.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • MAI Bodoh Betul on Feb 07, 2014 at 9:34 am

      MAI, AP issue also not solved, still want to sign MOU?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 5
  • Too ambitious..our local bus is still like 3rd world…poorly maintained..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 8
    • 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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
      • 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

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 4
  • Simon Hoh on Feb 06, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    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…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • EnergyAnalyst on Feb 07, 2014 at 12:09 am

    E bust ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • I thought there was already electric bus in the world … why not just use and enhance them. No need new development.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
    • Gently Speaking on Feb 07, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      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.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Guilt79 on Feb 07, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    Good. Now they got solid reason why bus came late. Electric Bus, slower than normal Bus.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Green on Feb 07, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    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.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • EnergyAnalyst on Feb 09, 2014 at 8:29 am

    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

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • Archangel on Feb 09, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    Sounds good. Hope the output have positive result.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required