Press release

Volvo Buses Host Conference “The Insights Into Electric Buses” In Malaysia

2022-05-24

Volvo Buses was proud to host the “ Insights Into Electric Buses” conference in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on May 24th, 2022. Graced by the Ministry of Transport and The Swedish Embassy, the ambition of the conference was to grow awareness, share knowledge and drive insights into successful electric bus adaptation and eventually contribute to building a sustainable electromobility road map in Malaysia.

Attended by over 80 delegates from public transport operators, government agencies and various institutional outlets, in attendance were also guests of honour, YBhg Ola Philblad, Counsellor & Deputy Head of Mission from Embassy of Sweden to Malaysia, and Ybhg Datuk Isham bin Ishak, Secretary General from Ministry Of Transport, Malaysia - who both opened the conference with speeches addressing the determination of Malaysia towards its commitment in achieving a carbon-neutral state, and the direction towards a sustainable future of public transport in Malaysia.

The conference drew on the knowledge and expertise of Volvo Buses’ electromobility experts, the experience, and findings from pioneering operators as well as the learnings and reflections from charging infrastructure partners. With specially invited subject matter experts from Australia, Sweden and Singapore, the conference addressed key considerations for electric buses’ operation and maintenance, charging infrastructure set up and energy system storage management, paving a concrete road map for emerging market’s adaptation of electric buses.

Ybhg Datuk Isham bin Ishak, Secretary General, MOT Malaysia

“I am pleased to witness the initiative from Volvo Buses and their passion in sharing the experience in electromobility from other markets. Malaysia via its National Transport Policy 2019-2030 is committed towards realising the greener environment ambition, and electrifying the public transport system is an important footstep towards our objective and ambition on sustainability.” said Datuk Isham Ishak, Secretary General of Ministry of Transport Malaysia.

Panel Discussion

The agenda incorporated impressive presentations from the following international and local speakers and panellists:

Dato’ Zailani Hj. Hashim, Director, General Road Transport Department Malaysia (JPJ)
Siti Salwa Samsudin, Manager Mobility, Technology Solution Group, Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTCC)
David Mead, Vice President Region Asia Pacific, Volvo Bus Corporation, Australia
Stefan Widlund, City Mobility Director, Volvo Bus Corporation, Sweden
Dean Moule, Product Director Region Asia Pacific, Volvo Bus Corporation, Australia
David Burton, Senior Manager Engineering Technical & Training, Tower Transit, Singapore
Hiew Thian Wai, Product Marketing Director, ABB, Malaysia
Lee Yuen How, Managing Director, EV Connection, Malaysia

Key topics presented to delegates were;

Key Considerations for Electric Bus Adoption
Electric Bus Maintenance and Operations
Fundamentals for The Implementation of Electric Bus
Charging Infrastructure Set Up
Energy Storage and Systems Concept

Key note speakers David Mead, David Burton, Dean Moule

The programme also included a panel discussion on ‘Moving towards electromobility in emerging markets’. Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Ts Dr Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed, Head of Training & CPD., MiTRANS, the panel platform aimed to discuss and exchange ideas, experiences, and opportunities to identify a suitable way moving towards a sustainable electromobility journey in Malaysia.

David Mead, Vice President Region Asia Pacific, Volvo Bus Corporation

“Volvo Buses is extremely proud to host and organise this insightful conference, contributing to the continued development of a successful and sustainable public transportation system in Malaysia. Volvo has immense experience in electromobility. In Sweden we delivered 145 fully electric buses to the Gothenburg city and in Asia Pacific, we were the first to introduce the self-charging electric buses in Singapore and last year we launched Volvo BZL fully electric chassis in Australia. At Volvo Buses, we are determined to be the most desired and successful provider of sustainable people transport solutions. It is this vision that led Volvo to the forefront in understanding people transport, leveraging vehicle knowledge, technology, connectivity and data to develop and deliver innovative solutions and business models to the benefit of society and driving quality of life,” says David Mead, Vice President of Volvo Buses Region Asia Pacific.

The event was well appreciated by all attendees with a deep understanding of the prerequisites, key fundamentals, successful operational practices, and maintenance of electric bus fleets, as well as long-term environmentally friendly ways of managing the energy system. We are confident that the conference will tie hands together among key stake holders of the public transport ecosystem to bring Malaysia one step closer towards a sustainable future!