MotorcyclesNews

Blueshark Expands E-Bike Battery Swap Network In Malaysia

Blueshark aims to further expand on its 15 Klang Valley locations to 50 nationwide by end-2024. 

Purveyors of battery-swappable e-motorbikes Blueshark has recently announced the expansion of its battery swapping BlueStation network to 15 locations across the Klang Valley. 

This particular round of outlet expansion sees 10 more BlueStations installed at select Petronas service stations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor — including in Bangsar, Damansara Jaya, Cheras, Kepong, and Kota Damansara — adding to the five original BlueStations made available at the launch of the Blueshark R series Smart Electric Scooter in March 2023. The full list of current BlueStations is as follows: 

Initial Five Locations:

1. Blueshark Showroom & 3S Centre Glenmarie 

No. 1, Block B, Putra Park, Jalan Penyair U1/44, Hicom-glenmarie Industrial Park, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor

2. Petronas Desa Mentari

Lot PT 621, HS(D) 173396, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

3. Petronas Batu 3 Federal Highway

Batu Tiga, Lebuhraya Persekutuan, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

4. Petronas Seksyen 13

Persiaran Sukan, Seksyen 13, 40100 Shah Alam, Selangor

5. Petronas USJ 6

1, USJ 6/2j, Usj 6, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

Ten New Locations:

6. Petronas Petaling Utama

Petronas, Pt1773, Jln PJS 1/25, Taman Petaling Utama, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

7. Petronas Damansara Jaya 2

2, Petronas, Lot 10068, Jalan SS 22/48, Damansara, 10068, Jalan SS 22/48, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

8. Petronas Mutiara Damansara

Pt 40036, Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

9. Petronas Jalan 222

Lot 1, Lorong 51a/227a, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

10. Petronas Seksyen 7

Aikhalman Enterprise, 1, Jalan Plumbum P7/P, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor

11. Petronas Kota Damansara 2

Petronas, 1, Persiaran Surian, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

12. Petronas NPE Pantai Dalam

CH.1520-1710, Off New Pantai Expressway (NPE), Near Pantai Dalam Interchange, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan

13. Petronas Jalan Maarof (Bangsar Park)

5, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan

14. Petronas Bandar Menjalara

Lot 44665 Mukim Batu, Kepong, Bandar Menjalara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur

15. Petronas Jalan Cochrane

494, Jln Tun Razak, Cheras, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Blueshark has further touted that there are plans currently in place to to expand the BlueStation network further, starting with even more locations throughout the Klang Valley and eventually, to various outstation locations including Johor and Penang. The e-motorbike firm is envisioning to have 50 BlueStations installed throughout the country by end-2024. 

Jin Chan, Group COO (ASEAN), Blueshark Ecosystem Sdn Bhd said, “At Blueshark, we have always believed that battery-swapping technology is key to accelerate EV motorcycle adoption in Malaysia. This expansion of Blueshark’s BlueStation battery swapping network widens our coverage of key central areas and enhances Blueshark’s offerings to as many riders as possible. With this milestone, we are answering the call for more BlueStations to finally realise the full potential of our R- series platform to make battery swapping convenience a reality for more riders throughout the Klang Valley, and there is much more to come. 

“Supported by our end-to-end ecosystem and with greater efficiency, lower energy costs and fewer moving parts on our R1, we can help accelerate EV adoption while reducing emissions. This is truly the best time to consider switching to electric motorcycles, with the expansion of Blueshark’s battery swapping network, coupled with the ongoing MARiiCas RM 2,400 EV motorcycle rebate and Blueshark’s Hari Raya offers and other promotions, electromobility has never been more stylish, affordable, or convenient”, Jin continued. 

The Blueshark Advantage

Blueshark’s R1 smart electric scooters have access to Malaysia’s first commercially available battery swap infrastructure while also being able to recharge from any standard wall socket or simply remove the batteries and charge them via the home charging kit, which is especially useful if access to a wall socket is not immediately available or if one resides in a high-rise building.

Often, challenges for EV adoption revolve around the high pricing, product quality, range anxiety, charging facilities, charging time, battery lifespan, second-hand value, and the replacement cost of old batteries.  Blueshark’s BlueSwap subscription plans and battery leasing option make the proposition even more appealing as not only is the bike cheaper to buy, but riders do not have to purchase the batteries outright or worry about battery lifespan or warranty and battery management or replacement. 

The Blueshark R1, with its unique swappable batteries that overcomes the key stigmas of EVs – long recharge times, range anxiety and battery lifecycle management to provide an impressive range of up to 110 km on a single charge (NEDC), with a top speed of up to 90 km/h and peak torque of 201 Nm. It also offers numerous features and tech previously unheard of on a motorcycle, such as an ADAS system, over 70 sensors, an Internet of Vehicles (IoV) enabled Smart ArkRide OS with HD display, front and rear cameras, GPS/4G and Bluetooth integration, built-in speakers, and more.

Better and Safer Battery Technology

To allay safety concerns and ensure uninterrupted electromobility, Blueshark’s highly durable and efficient Dual Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs have an average lifespan of four to five years (approximately 2,000 full, 0-100% charging cycles, four times as long as other battery technologies) with a very high degree of safety and fire retardation systems built into them with over 20 sensors that monitor battery state and condition, including short-circuit, open circuit, overcurrent and overcharge protection, while having a very high ignition point of 800 degrees Celsius for fire retardation.

In terms of safety and security, the BlueStations are also equipped with CCTV cameras for 24-hour recording, smart controls for temperature, fire, short-circuit and water damage, auto electricity cut-off and internal fire extinguishers if ever required and Blueshark has established a help and support number for WhatsApp assistance 24-hours a day, accessible by QR code on every BlueStation.

Blueshark R Series Pricing and Subscription Plans

Purchase Package (Vehicle only, on-the-road, without insurance and with SST exemption)

  • Blueshark R1: RM 9,390                                            
  • Blueshark R1 Lite: RM 7,190                                            

* This package is inclusive of 1 charger + 2 charging cradles, 1 Bluetooth key, plus an additional RM 79 per month for dual-battery rental

Corporate Rental Package (Vehicle + batteries, on-the-road, with SST exemption, inclusive of scheduled maintenance and wear-and-tear parts replacement)

  • Blueshark R1: RM 547 per month
  • Blueshark R1 Lite: RM 487 per month

* This package is inclusive of 2 batteries, 1 Bluetooth key and sim card, with an optional home charging kit with RM 250 refundable deposit

BlueSwap Battery Subscription Plans

  • BlueSwap Lite: RM 59/month, up to 36 battery swaps
  • BlueSwap Standard; RM 99/month, up to 70 battery swaps
  • BlueSwap Pro: RM 139/month, up to 120 battery swaps
  • BlueSwap Flex: RM 1.95, pay-per-swap

Joshua Chin

Automotive journalist. Professional work on dsf.my and automacha.com. Personal writing found at driveeveryday.me. Instagram: @driveeveryday

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