KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) has formalised collaborations with component manufacturers EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) and Pecca Group Bhd to develop electric vehicle (EV) production technologies.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Madani Sahari said many players from the automotive industry have responded positively to the government’s call to push the sector towards electrification following the announcement of EV incentives and greener mobility initiative through Budget 2022 and the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“Many automotive businesses have displayed their interest in this new sector, and are working towards more collaboration with the government through agencies such as MARii,” he said in a statement today.

According to Madani, MARii’s collaboration with EPMB will see the component manufacturer venturing into the production and localisation of two-wheel and four-wheel EVs, development of a charging network, and an application for a super delivery ecosystem, to be incorporated with an electronic payment system.

“On the other hand, Pecca will collaborate with MARii to offer more competitive products to global brands. This includes the enhancement of operational efficiency of Pecca’s business process by integrating Industry 4.0 systems,” he said.

He added that both parties have agreed to explore the development of automotive manufacturing capabilities for an expanded variety of vehicle parts, including EVs, its localisation, and after-sales support ecosystem.

Madani said MARii had also inked a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Malay Vehicle Importers and Traders Association of Malaysia (PEKEMA) in August 2021.

“The MoA includes a plan to set up 1,000 EV charging stations around the country by 2025, while co-developing connective applications that include e-payment, charger locators, battery management systems and service centre networks for the charging ecosystem.

“The development activities will be coordinated through an EV Centre of Excellence to ensure a harmonised and integrated charging ecosystem that caters to the demands of future e-mobility users,” he said.