Malaysia’s National News Agency (Bernama) reports on the launch of “Sikal Elektrik Rakyat 1Malaysia” (SER1M) at University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) by the Energy, Green technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili
SER1M
Officially launched today, SER1M is part of the National Green Technology Master Plan and the Electric Mobility Blueprint (EMB) to address greenhouse gas emission reduction and the development of the electric vehicle industry.
The electric bicycle program aims to promote green technology through green practices by the young people, especially university students, said the Minister.
Malaysian government had allocated RM4 million last year for the SER1M program which will roll out a total of 1,200 electric bicycles or Electric Pedal Assisted Bicycle (EPAB) in stages to six public universities, namely Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and UMS.
“Each university will get 200 electric bicycles which will be handed over in stages. UMS is the first university to receive the bicycles,” Said Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
The electric bicycles are produced by Malaysian’s local startup Voltron Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
On Malaysia’s Electric Vehicle Initiative
Malaysia is moving towards becoming a marketing hub for electric vehicles and is targeting 100,000 electric cars, 100,000 electric motorcycles, 2,000 electric buses and 125,000 charger stations to be in the country by 2030.
“With that as the target, the government’s transport sector has to start developing the developing the Green Technology Sector more aggressively. Public awareness is also crucial to produce a landscape of low carbon mobility in Malaysia.” Said Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
“Therefore, consumers have to be convinced that electric vehicles are an option which is comparable with the existing vehicles they have now,” he added.
Read Malaysia Aims to Have 100,000 Electric Cars on the Road by 2020
Read Malaysia’s Electric Scooter Startup Eclimo Electrifies Local EV Scene