NMB in pact with six South Korean companies to develop micro-mobility ecosystem

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 2 -- NanoMalaysia Bhd (NMB), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), has entered into a pact with six South Korean automotive companies to develop a micro-mobility ecosystem including electric vehicles (EV) and its core technology components.

MOSTI Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the pact underscored a collaborative initiative for Malaysian companies to provide a wide range of technology components in the production of two-wheel and four-wheel EVs in the global market.

“The result will not only position Malaysia as a regional EV technology hub but also create a micro-mobility ecosystem support in market validation, cross-certification, planning and promotion for government cooperation between Malaysia and South Korea,” he said in his speech at the memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing ceremony between NMB and the six South Korean companies here today.

NMB chief executive officer Rezal Khairi Ahmad inked the MoA with representatives from Hyundai Kefico Corp; Tham Corp; Curo Co. Limited; Hyundai Electric and Energy Systems Co. Limited; Daegu Mechatronics and Materials Institute; and Signet EV.

The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Adham, his deputy Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim, and South Korea Ambassador to Malaysia Lee Chi-beom.

Dr Adham said the MoA, with a targeted investment value of US$30 million (US$1=RM4.23), would also facilitate complementary local technology development by creating economic opportunities and development of talents and workforce in energy storage and EV-related technologies.

 Rezal Khairi said through the cooperation, NMB would play an integral role in the development and deployment of energy storage technologies such as batteries, ultra-capacitors, solid-state hydrogen, energy management and monitoring systems, as well as a high performance-based motor controller for mobility applications through NanoMalaysia Energy Storage Technology Initiative (NESTI).

Hyundai Kefico would develop, manufacture and supply an e-mobility powertrain system including an EV two-wheeler to make a new ecosystem for micro-mobility in Malaysia, he said.

 -- BERNAMA