Did you know that 6th February 2021 will mark 3 years since Starman took off from the face of this earth, and was launched into space in the Tesla Roadster?
PropertyGuru Tip
Fun trivia: ‘Starman’ is the name of a mannequin dressed in a spacesuit, and it’s in the driver’s seat of the Tesla car!
Thanks to Elon Musk, the famous Roadster (an electric sports car) was the first production car to be launched into space, and you can even find out it’s estimated location here.
Brief History Of Electric Vehicles (EV)
Electric vehicles are not a new invention. In fact, the first electric car debuted as early as the 1800s!
But in 1908, Henry Ford put a stop to the early growth of electric vehicles with the production of the Model T, and the introduction of the electric starter.
His greatest contribution to the automobile industry – the moving assembly line – was responsible for mass-producing the Model T, making it much cheaper to own a car powered by petrol.
Fast forward to 2003, where Tesla Motors was founded by a group of engineers, with a passion for electric cars. They wanted to make cars that were better, quicker, and more fun to drive than petrol cars.
Their aim was simple: Show people that they didn’t need to compromise when it came to purchasing an EV.
Today, we are seeing more car manufacturers spend on researching and developing EV and with that, comes an increasing demand around the world for these type of cars.
EVs In Malaysia
Although still in the early stages of adoption, there are quite a few models of EV available to Malaysians like the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3s, Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, and MINI Cooper SE.
It indicates growing interest among Malaysians, but there is still the pressing issue of the availability of charging stations to juice up the car!
According to the Malaysian Green Technology Corp, ChargEV network has over 300 charging stations across the country, and there are plans to have more available in the coming years.
How Do I Charge My Car At Home?
Most owners of EVs who live in landed properties would have the option to install a small wall-box charger to plug their cable into.
It offers better regulation of power, and comes with some level of safety in terms of voltage protection, compared to plugging it directly into a regular wall socket.
As for those living in high-rise buildings, even though they may have their own parking lots, the wiring involved to install a charging socket is considered part of the common area, which requires approval from the building’s Joint Management Body (JMB) and additional costs.
Thankfully, a number of property developers have started taking notice of trends in EV ownership, and have begun incorporating charging stations into high-rise building designs. We take a look at some of these properties designed with EV owners in mind!
Condos With EV Charging Stations
1) M Arisa and M Centura, Kuala Lumpur
Located next to each other, and just 5 km from the city centre, these two buildings are great choices for EV owners.
It appeals to those who not only appreciate the technology behind the machine, but also value the holistic lifestyle that comes with it.
With its own EV charging stations and lush green surroundings, owning a home here allows you to experience futuristic living, together with other EV owners.
2) UNIO Residence, Kuala Lumpur
Situated in Kepong, this property boasts energy and water-saving features, on top of providing EV enthusiasts a great value proposition in the form of charging stations in every parking lot!
Kepong is also known as a food haven, which makes it easy to cruise around for your favourite food, without worrying about running your EV down to empty.
3) Residensi Ava @ Kiara Bay, Kuala Lumpur
Buying a home here means you get to be close to the lush 235-acre Kepong Metropolitan Park! This mixed-development consisting of residential, retail, and commercial also means you might not have to leave your community often.
But when you do, you can always be confident that your EV is charged and ready to go, thanks to the charging stations provided in the building.
4) Edelweiss, Selangor
Those who love taking long drives will appreciate how close this residence is to major highways such as the NKVE, LDP, Penchala Link, and Sprint Highway.
EV owners have even more to shout about, as they will get to capitalise on the easy availability of charging stations at their doorstep as well.
5) Southkey Mosaic, Johor Bahru
Further down south, EV owners have the option of living in a development that touts a first-of-a-kind car park with EV charging stations.
The close proximity to Senai International Airport, JB Sentral, and the North-South Highway, make it a great option for short and long getaways.
What the Future Might Look Like
Petroleum is a finite (read: gonna run out one day!) resource, and without the ability to create more of it, we are left with renewable energy sources to keep us progressing as a society.
The good news is that there are brilliant minds currently working on improving battery technology, as well as renewable energy generation and storage.
Over time, the combination of these solutions could make owning electric vehicles much cheaper. This means that there will be more demand for EV charging infrastructure in the future!
Supporting the Needs of EV Owners
More property developers need to play an active role by making charging stations a key feature in their developments, not only to meet Green Building Index (GBI) standards, but also for the convenience of residents.
Malaysians are an innovative and entrepreneurial bunch, and there is no question that we will be able to transition towards a fully EV society. ‘WHEN’ that will actually happen, however, is anyone’s guess.
For now, we can take comfort in the fact that there are efforts by the government, carmakers, and property developers to support the different needs of EV owners in Malaysia.
Already have an electric vehicle, and want to ensure your house is on the ‘green side’ too? Why not check out these 10 Green Homes In Malaysia That Prove Eco-Friendly Living Is Possible (and are aesthetically stunning as well)!
Keep Track of New Launches
Visit our new launches page to find the new launch project of your dreams and submit an enquiry today.
Disclaimer: The information is provided for general information only. PropertyGuru International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd makes no representations or warranties in relation to the information, including but not limited to any representation or warranty as to the fitness for any particular purpose of the information to the fullest extent permitted by law. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this article is accurate, reliable, and complete as of the time of writing, the information provided in this article should not be relied upon to make any financial, investment, real estate or legal decisions. Additionally, the information should not substitute advice from a trained professional who can take into account your personal facts and circumstances, and we accept no liability if you use the information to form decisions.