Global EV charging solutions provider Virta has partnered with clean energy solutions business Gentari, part of the Petronas Group, to expand the EV charging network across Southeast Asia.

Gentari is deploying EV charging services across Southeast Asia through its clean energy platform, Gentari Go

The collaboration will draw on Virta’s digital platform services, technology and industry expertise, along with Gentari’s deployment and operation of EV charging infrastructure, while also working with third-party entities to enable EV charging interoperability in the region.

Gentari has a long-term aim to become Asia Pacific’s leading green mobility solutions partner and is deploying EV charging services across the region through its clean energy platform, Gentari Go.

Launched in Malaysia in February 2024, Gentari Go also offers customers access to high-powered DC chargers in Thailand and Singapore. More than 2,400 charging points across the three countries are already available, with a target to onboard another 2,000 charging points on the Gentari Go network by the end of 2024.

The need for robust charging infrastructure in Southeast Asia and Oceania is fast mounting as EV penetration grows; several countries in the region are already showing double-digit EV share in new car sales. It is expected that the market in the region will develop much faster than the US and EU to date, as there is a wide selection of EVs already available due to local and Chinese EV makers are entering the market with affordable models to meet demand.

Shah Yang Razalli, deputy chief executive officer of Gentari and CEO of Gentari Green Mobility, said: “I am confident that Gentari is well-positioned to be a market leader in Southeast Asia. We already have a large footprint in the region and a deep understanding of local business needs and consumer expectations. Recognising the value of teaming up with a partner that brings global standards and industry experience, we see this collaboration as crucial in executing our plans with speed and scale.”

EV charging platform Virta has a 10-year background in EV charging services, having enabled 1,000-plus charging networks to manage their charging business on its platform in 36 countries. The business has also established itself in Southeast Asia since 2022.

Earlier this year, Virta partnered with commercial EV charger installation and aftercare specialist Devitech with the aim of revolutionising EV fleet management solutions across the UK via an intelligent back-office management system for workplace EV chargers.

Elias Pöyry, Virta co-founder and chief business development officer, commented: “This partnership has vast potential to capture the momentum of the energy transition in Southeast Asia. Gentari Green Mobility has grown from its inception into a leading market player in e-mobility in only a year and a half, and we are happy to further catalyse growth with our market-proven, end-to-end global EV charging services and experience, including in Singapore, Thailand and Australia.”