Finnish charging infrastructure service provider Virta has announced a partnership with Gentari, a subsidiary of Malaysian Petronas Group, to bolster the electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Southeast Asia.
Under the agreement, Gentari Green Mobility, through its partnership with Virta, will leverage Virta’s digital platform services and industry expertise to enhance the development and operation of EV charging infrastructure in the region. The collaboration also aims to ensure interoperability of charging stations with third-party companies.
Southeast Asia has witnessed significant growth in EV registrations, prompting increased demand for fast chargers. Virta anticipates faster market development in the region compared to the US and EU, driven by a diverse selection of EV models from local and Chinese manufacturers catering to varying consumer demands.
Elias Pöyry, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Virta, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership in advancing the energy transition in Southeast Asia. “Our ecosystemic approach aims to accelerate EV adoption across the region, leveraging our global EV charging services and experience,” Pöyry stated.
Shah Yang Razalli, Deputy Managing Director of Gentari and Managing Director of Gentari Green Mobility, expressed confidence in Gentari’s position as a leader in Southeast Asia’s e-mobility sector. “Teaming up with Virta allows us to integrate global standards and industry expertise into our plans, facilitating rapid execution and scalability,” Razalli commented.
Virta, known for its decade-long expertise in charging station software primarily in Europe, has been active in Southeast Asia since 2022. Gentari, a clean energy solutions provider under the Petronas Group, launched the Gentari Go platform earlier this year to enhance EV charging infrastructure across select Southeast Asian markets.