The Second Penang Bridge, which connects Batu Kawan on the mainland with Seberang Perai and Batu Maung on Penang Island in Malaysia, has equipped its patrol feet completely with electric vehicles.
Hailed as the longest bridge in Southeast Asia, the Second Penang Bridge has acquired five Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles.
The i-MiEVs produce 49kW (67hp) of power and 180Nm of torque, with an ability to reach a top speed of 130kph.The four-seater is able to travel 150km after an eight hour full charge.
The EV is powered by a 330 volt battery which is covered by a five-year warranty and reportedly able to retain 80 percent of its full capacity even after that period. After 10 years of use, the figure drops to 70 percent.
The vehicles were handed over to concessionaire Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMMSB).
Authorities have also set up seven charging stations at the toll plaza on the mainland, two of them being rapid chargers which are able to give an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes.
The EVs not only use power from Tenaga Nasional (Bhd), but also from the project’s renewable sources such as solar panels and three wind turbines located at their toll plaza.
JKSB has been conferred with the Green World Ambassador status in November and has won the International Green Apple Award from the Green Organization, United Kingdom, for its application of environmentally friendly approaches in the construction of the bridge.
JKSB also has plans to increase the number of vehicles to support the increase in traffic on the bridge.
The eco-car is the first electric vehicle sold in Malaysia and is priced at RM136,000 on-the-road without insurance.