In an exciting announcement, Singapore-based company Charge+ has revealed its ambitious plan to establish a network of high-speed charging stations, enabling electric vehicle (EV) users to embark on seamless journeys across five countries in Southeast Asia. Through a convenient smartphone app, drivers will gain access to 45 strategically located charging stations connecting Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
By the end of 2024, the first 18 charging locations, owned and operated by Charge+, will be up and running in key cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. An additional 27 stations, a combination of Charge+’s owned facilities and partnerships, will be available by the end of 2025.
The Charge+ smartphone app will serve as a comprehensive platform, allowing EV users to pay for the charging service seamlessly across all five countries. Supporting multiple currencies, the app will be fully functional upon the opening of the initial wave of charging stations.
The announcement of this extensive EV charging network took place during the annual Future Mobility Asia summit in Bangkok, a three-day event focusing on the future of transportation.
Charging on this network will be remarkably fast, with the majority of chargers delivering 120 kilowatts of power. Some stations will even provide speeds of nearly 300kW. For instance, connecting a Tesla Model 3 EV to a 120kW fast-charging station for just 30 minutes is expected to add between 250km and 300km of operating range.
Ong Tze Boon, Chairman of Charge+, expressed his excitement about the new network, describing it as “another strategic milestone in the journey of Charge+ to be a truly impactful EV charging player for this region.”
The extensive charging network is divided into four legs. The first leg spans 700km and includes stations in Singapore, Yong Peng, Ayer Keroh, Simpang Ampat, Bangi, and Kuala Lumpur.
The second leg covers a distance of 1,500km, connecting Penang to Bangkok with charging stations in Juru, Phuket, Thap Sakae, and Bangkok.
The third leg, the Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City Link, extends over 1,100km, featuring stations in Pattaya, Rayong, Sihanoukville, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Finally, the Vietnam North-South Coastal Expressway forms the fourth leg, stretching 1,700km and offering stations in Phan Thiet, Danang, and Hanoi.
To ensure convenience, Charge+ aims to maintain an approximate distance of 120km between consecutive charging stations, facilitating worry-free travel for EV drivers.
This initiative by Charge+ follows in the footsteps of other EV charging service providers in facilitating cross-border travel between Singapore and Malaysia. In April 2022, City Energy, a Singapore-based town gas provider, launched its Go service, offering cross-border EV charging between Singapore and Malaysia through a single smartphone app. Currently, Go boasts 118 charging points across over 50 locations in Malaysia.
In March 2023, a partnership between Malaysian company Yinson Green Technologies and a subsidiary of Singapore’s real estate management services group LHN resulted in over 300 charging points accessible through a single smartphone app, further enhancing the cross-border EV charging experience in both countries.
18 May 2023
