For many Malaysians, the idea of doing long distance driving with a fully electric vehicle is still an intimidating one. Range anxiety is often the primary concern, but one that can be easily quelled through adequate planning. Recently, many EV owners have made the balik kampung journey without so much as a hiccup.
Such was the case for one Farhan A. Rahim (pictured above), an engineer who drove his Tesla Model 3 from his place of residence in Bangi back to his hometown in Kuantan, The Star reports. The 45-year-old has been driving his EV for almost two years and said the journey back to Kuantan was smooth.
“Many have asked whether it is okay to take a long road trip using an EV. For me, there was no problem,” he told Bernama, adding that travelling in an EV is much more comfortable for him, regardless for short hauls or long journeys.
“This is not the first time I’ve driven an EV back to my hometown in Kampung Permatang Badak. At first, I was not confident due to several challenges such as limited charging infrastructure, the fear of getting stuck in a traffic jam, and the lack of service stations. However, I managed to reach Kuantan last Saturday without difficulty even though I was using alternative roads from Bangi to Kuala Pilah before arriving at Kuantan – a journey of about 300 km,” he said.
Farhan reiterated that taking a road trip in an EV requires the owner to undertake careful planning, because an EV’s range depends on a number of factors, especially its battery capacity and driving style. He also said “using an EV is more cost-effective as the cost of charging is cheaper than the price of fuel.” In Kuantan, he charges his car for free at TJM Cars.
This sentiment was shared by a 29-year-old Amyrul Annas Rosli. He spent more than three hours driving back to his hometown in Bagan Datuk, Perak, and experienced no problems along the way. Amyrul said although owners can charge their EVs at home using the standard three-pin plug, it is very time consuming, and hopes that more charging stations would be set up in the future to facilitate EV charging.
We’ve tried first hand the experience of driving a fully electric car over hundreds of kilometres. You may read our detailed account here, or better yet, see what it’s like to be owning a fully electric car – a Tesla Model S, in our case – for three years. You can also click here to see all the DC fast chargers available for use in the country. So, did you also balik kampung in your EV? How was your experience?
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments reveal a mix of skepticism and support regarding EVs for balik kampung trips in Malaysia. Critics highlight range anxiety, long charging times, and inadequate infrastructure as major issues, especially during festive seasons with heavy traffic and rain. Concerns about high battery replacement costs after warranty and support for secondhand EVs are also raised. Supporters argue EVs are feasible with proper planning, such as early departure and charging at convenient locations. Enthusiasts believe EVs are rapidly advancing, with fast-charging technology a potential game-changer. Some comments emphasize that EVs are currently more suited for affluent or tech-savvy users and that the infrastructure will improve over time. Overall, sentiments oscillate between caution and optimism, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure and smarter planning.