Can You Drive Your EV Long Distance From KL to Kota Bahru

Driving an electric car from KL to Kota Bharu is feasible with proper planning, however you might encounter issues like motorcycles parked at EV charging bays and malfunctioning EV chargers.

Sure, it is best that you understand pre-trip charging and knowledge of all possible charging station locations along the journey.

Worries about range anxiety can be addressed by ensuring a full charge before leaving and using apps to locate available charging stations along the route, such as in Gua Musang or on the LPT highway at locations like Gambang Kilm 26. The increasing number of EV chargers, especially fast chargers, makes the journey more viable than it used to be.

Planning your trip

Charge your car: Before you leave, charge your car to its maximum capacity to ensure the longest possible range for the initial leg of the trip.

Use charging apps: Use apps like PlugShare or specific apps for the East Coast to find charging points along the route.

Plan for stops: You will need to make charging stops. Plan your stops in advance to avoid long queues or the need to find a charger unexpectedly.

Understand range impact: Remember that driving at highway speeds consumes more energy than city driving, so the advertised range may be significantly higher than your actual highway range.

Charge etiquette: Remember to be considerate of other drivers by not occupying a charging spot if your vehicle is not actively charging.

Key charging locations

Gua Musang: This location is a crucial stop on the East Coast route with at least one available charging station.

Gambang Kilm 26: Located on the LPT highway, this station has a fast 150 kW DC charger with two CCS2 nozzles, making it a faster and more reliable option than some alternatives.

Kubang Kerian: There are at least two DC fast chargers in Kubang Kerian near HUSM, one at the

Mydin car park and another at the Proton service center.

Kota Bharu: Several charging points are available within the city, including some at Petronas stations.

Addressing range anxiety

EVs don’t use energy at zero speed: Unlike a gasoline car, an EV motor doesn’t consume energy when idling in traffic, so getting stuck in traffic won’t drain the battery as much as you might think.

EVs are improving: Modern EVs come with software that helps drivers plan more efficient journeys and reduces the risk of running out of charge mid-trip. The availability of charging stations is also steadily increasing.