Tesla has invested $13.5 million into Malaysia’s charging infrastructure

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Tesla has invested $13.5 million into Malaysia’s charging infrastructure through July of this year, as reported by an official from the country following a meeting with the U.S. company this week.

On Thursday, Malaysia Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz detailed a few highlights from a meeting with the Tesla Malaysia team, including the charging investment milestone. The $13.5 million in investments include Tesla’s construction of 52 Supercharger units with up to 250kW charging speeds, 54 Wall Connectors, and over 4,500 home chargers across Peninsular Malaysia, according to the official.

Tesla Malaysia negotiations cut out the ‘nitty gritty’ from bureaucracy

“With an investment reaching USD13.5 million, Tesla shows a strong commitment to the development of EV charging infrastructure in our country,” the official wrote in a post on X, as translated to English from Malay.

The conversation also touched on Tesla’s Megapack battery energy storage systems (BESS), which the official highlights he says has the potential to make energy needs more affordable and efficient while helping to stabilize the country’s electrical grid.

“We also discussed the great potential of battery energy storage technology which is expected to contribute to the improvement of energy efficiency and stability of the Malaysian electricity grid,” the minister added. “This technology has the potential to reduce energy costs and strengthen our national energy infrastructure.”

The minister also noted that Tesla has worked with nine companies in the country to help develop and deploy charging infrastructure, along with partnering with higher education institutes.

Tesla boosted its hiring efforts in Malaysia in February, with a broad range of roles based in the cities of Cyberjaya and Kuala Lumpur.

Tesla was approved to sell EVs in Malaysia last February, before the company officially began selling its electric vehicles (EVs) in the country last July. The Model Y received over 10,000 orders in just four days. Following the orders, customers had to wait nearly eight months to receive their Model Y units, though deliveries officially began in March.

Elon Musk discusses SpaceX Starlink in Malaysia with Prime Minister

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send your tips to us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla has invested $13.5 million into Malaysia’s charging infrastructure





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Tesla owners complain about extended Service waits of nearly two months

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Tesla owners are complaining about extended wait times for service visits, which, in some cases, can keep owners waiting for as long as two months. It is a grim reality for those who need their all-electric vehicles taken care of by the company.

Tesla Service was at one time one of the most common complaints of owners. At first, there were not enough Service Centers to accommodate the number of owners. After Tesla made an effort to expedite service by approaching issues with an “F1 Service Strategy,” it seems not many things have improved, although there are more owners than ever.

Tesla’s ‘F1’ Service strategy eliminates same-day loaner vehicles, Uber credits

According to several Tesla owners on X, they are being forced to wait up to two months to get into Service Centers to have their vehicles repaired:

Others have complained about extended wait times when they finally arrive at the dealers:

Tesla trimmed many of its teams when it laid off up to 20,000 employees earlier this year. Electrek said that one of the divisions impacted was Service. Supercharging was another one that sent Tesla fans for a whirl, as many voiced their displeasure with the decision.

However, Service is arguably just as ridiculous.

Going multiple months with a vehicle that has some kind of issue that renders it inoperable is never pleasurable, and while Tesla is building new Service Centers, it seems wait times are still too lengthy.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla owners complain about extended Service waits of nearly two months





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Tesla chosen over Ford for $5 million Baltimore City EV fleet

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Tesla landed what could be $5 million in sales from the Baltimore City government, as the city has decided to purchase EVs made by the industry-leading automaker for employee use.

More and more city governments are using Tesla EVs to cut down fuel and maintenance costs, helping to push taxpayer dollars to other things. Several police departments across the world have decided to transition to at least some EVs, with many already seeing cost savings after varying times of use.

Baltimore will electrify city vehicle fleet by 2030

Now, the Baltimore City government is making the jump, as the Board of Estimates voted to spend up to $5 million on EVs built by Tesla. It has been using EVs for six years, but this will be the first time it is using Tesla-built vehicles.

Baltimore Fishbowl first reported on the approval.

The minutes of the meeting show that initially, the city wanted to buy Ford Mustang Mach-Es. However, they were deemed “not needed” because they are considered SUVs:

“Vendors were solicited by posting on CitiBuy, eMaryland Marketplace, and in local newspapers. Two bids were received and opened on April 3, 2024, both were responsive and responsible. Waldorf bid electric Mustangs, which are considered SUVs and are not needed. Thus, the award is recommended to be made to Tesla to supply EV Passenger Cars/Sedans. This contract has two, one-year renewal options at the sole discretion of the City. The above amount is the City’s estimated requirement; however, the vendor shall supply the City’s entire requirement, be it more or less.”

The Model 3 and Model Y will be utilized for the fleet, and the allotted amount of $5 million would be enough to buy 147 Tesla vehicles.

Baltimore has made several steps to increase its use of EVs as a whole. It is even working toward using electric school buses for some students.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla chosen over Ford for $5 million Baltimore City EV fleet





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