Shell Recharge Tangkak DC charger switches to single 180 kW – this is why we need per-kWh billing ASAP

Shell Recharge Tangkak DC charger switches to single 180 kW – this is why we need per-kWh billing ASAP

EV users in Malaysia have lost one highway DC fast charging bay as Shell ParkEasy has reconfigured their Tangkak south-bound ABB charger to supply 180 kW to a single bay instead of the previous configuration of 90 kW to two bays each.

There are pros and cons to this. Shell Recharge charges a RM4 confirmation fee and RM20 for every five mins of charging for the first 25 minutes, and RM20 for every five minute block thereafter.

Since the use of the charger is currently based on time, this means an EV using the charger could potentially get more kWh for each ringgit paid, if the EV is able to charge at a rate of higher than 90 kW. This means using the charger could be potentially cheaper.

Shell Recharge Tangkak DC charger switches to single 180 kW – this is why we need per-kWh billing ASAP

The negative part to this is that now only one EV can charge at any one time, potentially resulting in long queues of EVs waiting to use the charger.

Now we say charging is now potentially cheaper because not many EVs are able to use the full 180 kW charging rate. These high charge rates are usually more easily achieved by bumping up voltage instead of amps, so you’re looking at 800V architecture EVs such as the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai ioniq 5 benefiting from higher 180 kW rates.

For the majority of 400V architecture EVs on the market, charging will be limited by amps, so even though an EV like the BMW iX xDrive40 is rated at a max 150 kW charge rate, it can only take in about 120-130 kW at the Tangkak charger. 400 V EVs would be able to charge at a higher speeds at sites with high amp chargers such as the 500 A high performance chargers with water-cooled cables at Porsche Centres.

Shell Recharge Tangkak DC charger switches to single 180 kW – this is why we need per-kWh billing ASAP

This problem would not exist if charger operators were allowed to charge by kWh instead of time. If per kWh fees were allowed, the DC charger could simply be configured for dynamic power allocation – 180 kW if one cable is used, 90 kW if two cable is used. If two EVs were to charge at the same time, they would not complain as they would be paying for the same amount of kWh going into the battery, just at a potentially halved speed.

Unfortunately charging by kWh is currently illegal without a license. The relevant ministries should come up with something like BNM’s fintech sandbox to allow EV charger operators to charge by kWh. In the long run, there has to be a way for charger operators to charge by kWh – imagine having to pay for petrol by how long you are parked at the pump, it doesn’t make much sense does it?

Use our referral code R88W3N2T when you download the ParkEasy app and you’ll get some free credits to try it out.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • 180kW is ok, altough still >30mins…
    3mins, maybe 10 years later..
    Hogging 1 electron refuel bay over 30mins..

    Meanwhile, 50kW @ Singapore largest EV Hub is too slow.
    https://paultan.org/2022/06/07/surbana-jurong-to-build-southeast-asias-largest-ev-charging-hub-in-singapore-up-to-250-evs-at-a-time/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on Jun 08, 2022 at 4:59 pm

      Why need EV? RON95 still cheap

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 3
      • Wait till you see what happen to Ron95 price when our subsidy being removed, it will happen sooner than you think…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 3
        • Casual reader on Jun 08, 2022 at 11:06 pm

          You think your EV can escape? Wait till you electricity subsidies removed, noy just your EV cry but your house too.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
          • Afeeq Hasan on Jun 09, 2022 at 12:15 pm

            The chances of electricity subsidisation going away is far far less than gas subsidisation. You can always travel less, take public transport or travel in a cheaper car, fuel efficient car. You can’t just turn off everything in your house 24/7 – people still need to live – shower with hot water, cook, watch TV, etc.

            Use logic.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
        • rich charity guy on Jun 09, 2022 at 1:27 pm

          I normally only pump V power Racing. One day the pump stop at RM200 but only half tank. Another RM200 but only 90 percent of fuel. Oohh..IC..price so high d. Never bother look at price before. Then, wtf the 95ron so cheap? Today try to pump a 95ron although very embarassed I dont know why because I regard ron 97 as inferior compared to VPR, and now ron95 ha?! but below RM150 Got full tank. Woww…ok, will switch to ron 95 until VPowerRacing drop price again. Save some buck to donate to charity.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • digidigi on Jun 08, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    nah, at the moment I prefer it to charge fast, rather u have a EV with slow charging speed that occupied the charging bay for too long

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • Mr. Sotong on Jun 08, 2022 at 4:19 pm

    It’s not just straightforward as that…

    I totally understand the rationale behind charging by the minute vs by kwh. This is to discourage people from leaving their car hogging the chargers.

    However I also totally get it why charging by kwh is good especially for the consumer as not all cars can take the max output of the charger.

    Hence I believe the best solution is to come up with a system that satisfies both requirements. More homework to be done for now…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
    • dellen on Jun 08, 2022 at 5:26 pm

      normally overseas the operator use both. while charging, use kwh. then switch to time based hogging fee.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Do a quick Google and you will see most of the country in the world charging EV base on kW rather than time charging, why are we so different? Same goes to the EV roadtax calculation… Guess this is why we can progress as quickly as other neighboring country

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Joshua Soong on Jun 09, 2022 at 7:29 am

    Just replace kwh with some other names.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • newme on Jun 09, 2022 at 9:06 am

    Only opt for fast charging DC when necessary. It’s not good for the battery.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Most of the battery comes with 8 years warranty, must well make full use of Dc charging
      Then only we can tell whether it’s good or not

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • newme on Jun 10, 2022 at 2:21 pm

        You only claim warranty when it stops working. You can’t claim battery degradation.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • malaysia ministers must be reduced on Jun 10, 2022 at 2:14 pm

    It is not advisable to charge per KWH because what if a low cost EV comes in and charge at 10KWH because their car is limited to that speed. Charging per KWH only makes sense when more charger is present and lower end models can charge at their appropriate charger.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • After reading the articles, I am still not clear why they charge per minute instead per kW consumed. I can say that in Europe it is per kW. Perhaps in USA as well. Does anybody know if Thailand or Singapore charged the same way?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Paul Tan on Jun 10, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      because malaysian law does not allow to charge per kW. only the licensed electricity supplier (like TNB) can legally charge per kW.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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