Electrifying Malaysian Mobility

Japan’s SmartDrive receives JETRO grant to establish Electric Vehicle (EV) Mobility Data Platform in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 26 October 2021 – SmartDrive inc., a Tokyo-based firm specialising in mobility data platform, has initiated a strategic plan to create an EV Mobility Data Platform in Malaysia. Helmed by the company’s local subsidiary, SmartDrive Malaysia, the platform will gather and utilise information and data to facilitate the development of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem. In particular, the platform will help drive the country’s shift towards the increased use of EV while augmenting the expansion of the local EV industry. Furthermore, SmartDrive has been participating in several experiments in Japan to optimise EV charging spots using its data technology and to create new businesses using EV-related data, with positive results.

The move was initiated by SmartDrive after being awarded a grant by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) – a Japanese government-related organisation – to spur digitalisation transformation within the ASEAN region. The grant is dedicated specifically towards the development and demonstration of EV Mobility Data Platform in Malaysia together with local stakeholders.

To further maximise the potential of the EV Mobility Data Platform, SmartDrive will collaborate in partnership with two Malaysian entities. They are the Management & Science University (MSU), which will support for several resources, including R&D and future business potential; while Garisan Industries Sdn. Bhd., will apply its keen knowledge and technical know-how in Automotive Software Engineering.

“Using the grant from JETRO, we aim to leverage on SmartDrive’s unique expertise to build this EV Mobility Data Platform in Malaysia, which will seek to gather meaningful information and data, particularly on the use of EVs and the development of charging stations. Potential users – both at the private and government level – can then plug in and effectively use the extrapolated data from the platform to enhance their services or open up new avenues for business opportunities,” said Khairul Khalil Ishak, Director of SmartDrive Malaysia.

“This move affirms SmartDrive’s confidence in Malaysia and the certainty that the EV Mobility Data Platform will greatly benefit the country in its push towards the promotion of low-carbon mobility and the increased use of EVs. We are also truly honoured to collaborate with MSU and Garisan Industries, who are experts in their respective fields and look forward to a mutually-beneficial partnership towards the fruition of the mobility platform,” he added.

Driving Malaysia’s electrification agenda

Already, SmartDrive’s proposed Mobility Data Platform has received a welcome interest in Malaysia, particularly by the Smart Selangor Delivery Unit (SSDU). Set up under the auspices of the Selangor State Government, SSDU is mandated to lead smart initiatives which will form the base to realise the Selangor Smart State as a liveable Smart State in ASEAN by the year 2025.

“The Smart Selangor Action Plan 2025 aims to empower people, businesses and the public sector to future-proof Malaysia’s most advanced state by providing suitable technological solutions for smart state applications. Towards this end, we see a huge potential to benefit from SmartDrive’s proposed EV Mobility Data Platform as an invaluable resource to encourage the use of EVs within the state by encouraging the build of necessary infrastructure such as appropriately located charging stations and user-friendly apps,” said Dr. Fahmi Ngah, Managing Director of SSDU.

From Japan, to Malaysia, to the world

SmartDrive Malaysia is the company’s first overseas subsidiary with full-fledged business operations. Since its local inception here in March 2020, SmartDrive has already established itself as a dynamic provider of a number of business-to-business (B2B) products and solutions in the insurance, Internet of Things (IoT) and management space. One of the company’s maiden offerings upon its entry into Malaysia was a service that allows companies to monitor real-time locations of its fleet and track vehicle travel times.

In March this year, the company launched SmartDrive Aware, a mobile app which enables businesses to evaluate employees’ driving behaviour and performance, and reward them accordingly. The company is also working with motor insurance providers to provide telematics and smart insurance services, allowing them to reward good drivers with added benefits and incentives, including discounts on their premiums.

Now, the grant from JETRO to establish the Mobility Data Platform marks yet another notable milestone for SmartDrive in bridging Japan and Malaysia in terms of technology and expertise while promoting symbiotic trade and investment between both countries.

“Besides promoting investments into Japan, JETRO is also committed to promote mutual cooperation by accelerating open innovation and create new business opportunity for Japanese firms with overseas start-ups. Realising Malaysia’s tremendous progress in mapping out its Electric Mobility agenda, we are confident that this grant is a step in the right direction which will enable SmartDrive’s EV Mobility Data Platform to catalyse this progress,” said Mrs. Mai Onozawa, Managing Director of JETRO Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Khairul has affirmed SmartDrive’s commitment towards the long-term success of the EV Mobility Data Platform in Malaysia, and to establish a strong proof of concept with this pilot project here within a year, before initiating similar platforms in other ASEAN countries.