He gets a lot of helpful hints from current BYD owners and assurance of the long drive
Driving an electric car from KL to Kota Bharu is feasible with proper planning, though it requires pre-trip charging and knowledge of charging station locations.
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 interstate
Charge your car: Before you leave, charge your EV’s battery to its maximum capacity to ensure the longest possible range for the initial leg of the road 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 along the journey
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 like the award winning M6 hardly use any energy at zero speed: Unlike a petrol powered car, an EV motor doesn’t consume much 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.
