Tourists can whiz around Putrajaya in electric vehicles

PPj recently signed a contract with CMS Consortium Sdn Bhd for a fleet of 12 electric vehicles, which include two units of Renault Zoe and 10 units of Renault Twizy, for the soon to be launched Ecorideputrajaya

ELECTRIC vehicles (EV) will soon make their debut in Putrajaya with the launch of Ecoride — Putrajaya Corp’s (PPj) latest car rental service catering to local and foreign tourists.

PPj recently signed a three-year contract with CMS Consortium Sdn Bhd (CMS) for a fleet of 12 EVs — two Renault Zoe units and 10 Renault Twizy units — for the service, which will be run by its subsidiary, Pengangkutan Awam Putrajaya Sdn Bhd (PAPSB).

Speaking at the handover ceremony, PPj president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat said the EVs were equipped with facilities like global positioning system (GPS) and voice guide.

“This will help tourists reach their destinations and see the various attractions in Putrajaya with ease,” he said.

Aseh said this was also in line with the government’s green efforts to provide sustainable transportation, by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and providing smart connectivity and mobility solutions to promote a healthy and clean environment.

“The use of EVs can also help reduce fuel consumption,” he said, adding that EVs were a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Aseh said discussions were ongoing on the rental rate.

“It will definitely be affordable,” he added.

The Ecoride service was due to be launched at the FIA Formula E Championship taking place in Putrajaya this weekend.

This is the race’s second leg and the first to be organised in Malaysia, with 10 teams and 20 racers pitting their skills on the streets of Putrajaya in fully-electric single-seaters, designed to attract a new generation of motorsport fans.

The Formula E cars can reach speeds exceeding 225kph.

The race has been held in city-centre circuits around the world, including Uruguay, Argentina, the United States, Monaco, Germany and Britain.