The simply concluded Worldwide Electrical Mobility Showcase held in KLCC had no scarcity of shows centred round electrification, however none stood out fairly like this one did, just because it appeared fairly misplaced amidst all the trendy components on name.

Your eyes don’t deceive you. That’s a 1994 Mitsubishi LO49 Pajero, and a public works division (JKR) unit at that. Decked out in a yellow and gray exterior scheme prior to now, the automobile was once a typical sight within the 90s. After all, greater than three many years on, it’s now nothing greater than a legacy, of a time passed by.

So why then was this explicit automobile on present on the Nationwide EV Pavilion space of the occasion? Nicely, that’s as a result of it’s an electrical automobile, or moderately one transformed into an EV by the division. It’s really the second such automobile of the sort to endure the conversion into an EV, the primary being a low-powered proof of idea train with a 1993 Pajero again in 2021, the complete mission being accomplished in 41 days.

This one, often known as the JKR EVC 2, scales the tech up, primarily commissioned to reply just a few questions, from gleaning in-depth data about conversion features to wanting on the viability of changing the federal government’s fleet of previous inside combustion engine (ICE) automobiles to electrical ones. Because it seems, the mission has additionally helped to outline insurance policies, offering priceless info for the EV conversion (EVC) tips being drafted by the street transport division (JPJ).

Some notes in regards to the Pajero EV. Its diesel mill has been changed by a 90 kW (120 hp) everlasting magnet synchronous reluctance motor which gives round 60 to 65 kW of most steady output and 235 Nm of twist. With energy despatched to the rear wheels, the EVC 2 has a most velocity of 120 km/h and accomplishes the 0-60 km/h run in 17 seconds.

The electrical motor is juiced by a 58.36 kWh LiFePo4 (lithium iron phosphate or LFP) battery, which gives the EVC 2 a most journey vary of 200 km. Charging is by way of AC solely, with a 6.6 kW onboard charger getting the battery from a zero to 90% state of cost in round eight hours.

The battery, which sits on the rear of the automobile, weighs 400 kg, primarily making it a like for like alternative for the discarded engine and different {hardware} on the entrance, with the burden being redistributed to the again of the automobile. There’s round 75 kg of extra weight, caused by electrical elements (motor, inverter, DC-to-DC converter), and the suspension has been suitably modified.

Work on the automobile started on September 12 final yr, with the mission involving plenty of events, together with JKR’s mechanical and electrical division groups in addition to these from collaboration companions EMAR Expertise, UniKL, BateriKu, Vector Labs and Celcom.

Preliminary work – from October to December – consisted of the removing of the Pajero’s engine and doing up the bodywork, together with portray the automobile. Throughout the identical interval, procurement of {hardware} and structure design was undertaken, and from March to mid-June, element set up and system integration work was carried out, with operating trials starting after that.

By the way, although it’s a prototype, WDP 4161 is totally road-legal, with the division being given a two-year approval to run the automobile as a R&D testbed by the JPJ. Curiously, the street tax – which is in fact zero – for the EVC 2 is vaild all the way in which to 2027, suggesting that street legality for it might prolong all the way in which to then. EV conversions are presently not authorized however authorisation can given by the JPJ in particular circumstances, equivalent to for demonstrators or testing.

Whereas fascinating, the initiative to transform the Pajero can also be intriguing, on condition that the division is related to the development of roads and authorities infrastructure, and EV conversions are effectively off the scope for it. Why then, was the query posed to Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, former engineering director of JKR, the person behind the electrical Pajero.

“Why is JKR making conversions? Everybody thinks JKR builds roads and authorities buildings and infrastructure. Sure, that’s our core enterprise, however one among our roles can also be sustaining the federal government fleet, and given the nation’s goal of working in the direction of a low-carbon footprint, it’s only pure to have a look at methods to affect the federal government’s automobile fleet,” he stated.

“Again in 2021, the division was requested to see the way it might help with that goal. From the JKR perspective, I considered how we might enhance the infrastructure of offering EV chargers in authorities buildings or in areas involving public roads,” he stated.

At that time, Megat stated he wanted an EV to grasp the necessities. “I didn’t have the finances to purchase a brand new automobile, however we discovered a number of companions, one among which was wanting into EV conversions, and so we determined to discover that avenue,” he stated. As for the selection of the Pajero, it was just about ordained. “After I requested a automobile for conversion, the JKR workshop handed an inventory of previous Pajeros that it was keen to supply for the mission,” he defined.

Whereas it began off as an train to ship an EV for figuring out infrastructure necessities, the mission rapidly turned bigger than the automobile, evolving into an goal to make it possible for EV conversions had been viable and possible in Malaysia. “Though it began out as an inside mission, we’ve now been referred to as to be a part of the nationwide EV initiative as a member for course of and process,” he stated.

Apart from aiding the institution of conversion tips, he stated it has additionally opened the street for brand spanking new alternatives, particularly for the nation. “One is that with a view to perform conversions to required rules, it’s mandatory to make sure that those that are doing that work are competent,” he acknowledged.

As such, coaching turns into essential, and so the thought is to ultimately set up certification for workshops, beginning with JKR’s personal workshops. “It will present a mannequin or reference for any new EVC workshops within the nation, personal or public,” he stated. He added that conversions would additionally profit native element producers, as elements will certainly be wanted for the exercise.

The price of the Pajero conversion? Round RM150,000, which doesn’t make for a great enterprise case, however with scale this will simply be halved and ultimately trimmed additional, Megat defined. “After all it has to have economies of scale. Doing one just isn’t possible, however go into 1000’s and it’ll alter. The bigger image is the way it will profit native element producers,” he stated.

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