Sadiqin said the Gentari Go app, which allows him to pay for charging at both Gentari and non-Gentari chargers using a single platform, was one of the main reasons for switching to an EV. — Photos by THOMAS YONG/The Star.
JOHOR BARU: About a year ago, Muhammad Nur Sadiqin Mohd Khusni could not imagine himself ever owning an electric vehicle (EV).
To him, EVs were complicated, unreliable, and more trouble than they were worth.
The 30-year-old still vividly remembers his first experience – a work trip from Johor to Kuala Lumpur in his company’s EV that left him anxious and drained.
It convinced him that electric mobility was not for him.
“I will never forget that day. What should have been a smooth journey turned differently, I felt like I was in a race against time, always searching for the next charging point like when your phone battery dips dangerously low.”
Each stop brought a new challenge. One charger required him to download a new application and top up RM100, even though he only used a fraction of it.
The next station did not accept the same app, so he had to download another. And then another.
By the end of the journey, he had downloaded four separate apps and spent over RM400, just to get to Kuala Lumpur and back.
“It was overwhelming,” he admitted.
“I didn’t even know there was an eco-mode. I was learning the hard way, on the fly. And when I finally found a charger, it turned out to be a slow one. I was stuck there for what felt like forever.”
He could have walked away from EVs forever, but he did not.
The spark of change
Months later, when Sadiqin began searching for a new family car, he realised that something had changed, not only in technology but in him as well.
Sadiqin is using his laptop in the comfort of his EV while waiting for it to finish charging.
“I wanted something better, not just for myself but for my family. For the world my child will grow up in,” he said, his voice filled with quiet conviction.
After months of research and with confidence restored, he decided to buy a Proton e.MAS and has not looked back since.
“It gave me a feeling that petrol cars never could,” he shared, reflecting on his first drive in the e.MAS.
“The silence, the comfort, the smoothness of the ride, it felt like stepping into the future. There was something deeply peaceful and exciting about it.
“I regularly travel between Johor and Selangor, whether for work or to spend time with my loved ones.
“So, having a car that’s reliable and practical for long journeys is really important to me,” he shared.
“I used to drive a petrol-powered car. It served me well, but the running costs were high. For the first five years, I enjoyed free maintenance, but once that ended, the expenses started to pile up.
“I was spending nearly RM400 a month on fuel alone, not even counting the maintenance costs,” he recalled.
“Now, with my EV, I can charge at a fraction of that cost. It’s such a relief to be able to save more, while knowing that I’m making a cleaner choice for the future.
“Servicing is simpler, cheaper and needed only once a year. Beyond just switching for savings or performance, I wanted something future proof.
“The e.MAS is spacious, has great safety features and smart functions too. I love that it lets me play music from just the driver’s headrest when my baby is asleep,” said the father of one with a smile.
“That small detail, it shows the car was built with people like me in mind.”
Seamless charging
He added that the Gentari Go app, which allows him to pay for charging on a single platform, was one of the main reasons for the switch.
“Gentari brought calm to the chaos – a true game-changer. With its EV roaming feature, I could seamlessly pay for charging at both Gentari and non-Gentari chargers, all through a single app.
“It also lists nearby stations, charging speeds and availability, removing much of the stress I once faced,” he said, adding that the availability of such a user-friendly app significantly improved his experience.
A greener future is a shared responsibility
For Sadiqin, the change is about more than just convenience and savings – it also aligns closely with his personal values around sustainability.
“I’ve always believed in doing my part. I may not go to extremes like planting trees every weekend, but I always engage with the community and support local council events on greenery.
“As a father, I’ve become more conscious about my habits and the kind of world I want to leave behind.
“I want to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible and the switch from petrol to EV was a natural step. It’s a small action, but one that reflects my values.
“I haven’t done the exact calculations yet, but I believe using an EV is a step towards reducing greenhouse gases,” he said.
Proper planning
Sadiqin said he is optimistic about Malaysia’s EV landscape, especially with more affordable city-sized EVs expected in the market.
“Even in my hometown in Pontian, we’re starting to see more EVs on the road. When we have smaller, more affordable models, more people will join in.
“However, adoption must go hand in hand with infrastructure planning. We need to encourage adoption, but if too many people switch too fast, the infrastructure won’t keep up.
“Charging stations at key public locations such as having more chargers at malls and major highways – all of those matters. “
He said more incentives could help boost EV adoption in Johor as he hopes to see more support from both the government and private sector.
“Even something simple like a rebate on electricity bills for EV owners would help.
“We should also add more EV charging stations at petrol stations. They’re well-lit, have amenities and are safer than isolated charging spots.
“I also hope companies can install chargers at their offices, as this would encourage employees to make the switch to EVs and help reduce corporate carbon emissions. It’s about building a culture, not just infrastructure,” he suggested.
Today, Sadiqin is not just an EV driver, he is now a part of a growing movement of Malaysians who believe that small, personal choices can lead to big, collective change.
And thanks to Gentari, that journey is more accessible, more affordable, and more meaningful than ever.
Gentari, the clean energy arm of PETRONAS, is already contributing to Malaysia’s energy transition.
In Johor alone, it has rolled out over 72 charging points across 22 strategic locations, including Senai Airport, PETRONAS Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam, Mersing Harbour Centre, KPJ hospitals, Lotus’s hypermarkets and major shopping malls.
This effort aligns with Johor’s green vision – which aims to deploy 15,840 EVs and establish 1,245 charging stations by 2030 – making EV charging more accessible and convenient for all.
Whether you’re a father thinking about your child’s future, a commuter tired of fluctuating fuel costs, or simply someone who believes in a better tomorrow – the road to change is open.
