EV Car Carnival aims to increase public awareness and speed up EV adoption

KUCHING: The forthcoming EV Car Carnival aims to increase public awareness and speed up the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Sarawak with a variety of interactive exhibits and engaging activities.

Scheduled for this Saturday (Aug 24), the event held at GWM Yuleehong starting at 9.30am, is organised by a group of dedicated University Kebangsaan Malaysia Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB) students.

According to project director of the EVs Group and Master of Business Administration (MBA) student at UKM, Barry Ho Yew Meng, the upcoming event will provide families, students, and the local community with opportunities to learn about EVs, participate in interactive activities, and view model showcases.

“The event highlights include an EV model-building competition where young participants use their creativity to build EV models using recycled material,” he said.

He also added there will also be a coloring contest with EV-related themes and interactive activities which attendees can engage in various tasks and activities related to electric vehicles, gaining insights into their benefits and functionalities.

“We will also be inviting guest speaker, experts from Sarawak Energy Berhad,” he said.

He said that adopting electric cars is not just a step towards modern transportation but also a commitment to a cleaner, healthier planet.

Ho (left) and Head of Sales and Marketing at GWM Yuleehong, Ng (right).

“By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we can significantly cut down on air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, paving the way for a sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.

Furthermore, Ho also said that the event aligns broader sustainability goals set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).

“By increasing the visibility and appeal of EVs, we aim to contribute significantly to achieving net-zero emissions and positioning Sarawak as a leader in sustainable development,” he said.

Besides, as part of this initiative, the students have have generously donated 20 Wallbox EV chargers to new electric vehicle (EV) purchasers.

“The chargers, each valued at approximately RM5,500, were handed over to the first 20 buyers of electric vehicles from partnering dealerships,” he said.

He said that this generous contribution aims to facilitate a smoother transition for new EV owners and underscores the commitment to promoting environmentally friendly transportation.

Additionally, the donation which also coincides with the upcoming event has garnered support from various stakeholders, including local dealerships and environmental organisations. It represents a collaborative effort to drive the adoption of sustainable transportation solutions in Malaysia.

“On behalf of the entire MBA project team, we extend our deepest thanks to GWM Yuleehong for their invaluable support and event sponsorship  significantly contributed to the success of our EV Car Carnival,” he said.

For the record, the initiative is a pivotal part of their academic project, supervised by an esteemed faculty member, Dr Nur Laili Ab Ghani.

“Our students are not only learning about sustainable business practices but also actively contributing to the community.

“This project exemplifies the practical application of their knowledge and their commitment to making a positive impact.” she said.

Notable guests, including the Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak, will inaugurate the event along with Wilfred Yap Yau Sin and Datuk Awang Bujang to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.