Electric Vehicles Cross Borders—The Future of Sustainable Travel

From a 2002 Sparrow to a Modern iX: My Electric Car Journey

It all started back in 2002 with a little electric beast—a Corbin Sparrow. I wasn’t exactly test‑driving it; I was more of a prankster, nudging the car into place for a showcase. That old little car had a spartan interior, power steering that’d left me feeling powerless, and brakes that seemed to have taken a vacation. And let’s not forget the door‑clank: a plastic clang that made you wonder if you’d slammed the doors shut at all. The paint? Neon orange—an eyesore that oddly made everyone pause and stare.

Electric Cars: A Quantum Leap Since Then

Fast‑forward to today and the world of EVs has surged ahead. I was thrilled when I finally got my hands on a BMW iX and dove into a full‑on electric adventure all the way to Malaysia.

The Longest Overseas Drive I’ve Ever Embraced

Sure, I’ve zapped around local routes in yesteryear’s electric models, but this time I aimed for the biggest test ever—no hybrid help, pure electric, all the way overseas.

Getting the Ride Ready

First stop: Shell Bukit Batok Nature Park for a quick charge.
Cast about 30 minutes to fill up 15.1kWh—just enough for the drive, and the price was a sweet $8.30.
During the recharge, I double‑checked tire pressures, grabbed a snack, and surrendered to the aroma of freshly brewed Kopi O.
All set, I hit the road with the confidence of a me‑powerful kid, but now equipped with a fully charged battery and a clear head.

From the clunky, powered‑down Sparrow to today’s sleek, silent iX, the evolution is undeniable. And as I drove across the gate of adventure, I felt the electric surge—literally and figuratively—through everything, from the wheels to the city lights ahead.

Get going

From Hibernation to Highway

With a 410‑km range under my belt and a five‑year‑old daughter in the backseat, we finally rolled down onto the open roads after a two‑year break. Traffic was light enough that I could cruise comfortably at 110 km/h along both the checkpoints and the highways.

The Destination

Final stop: Muar.
Our detour: a southbound side‑trip to Shell at Tangkak for the quickest charge.
Why? Fastest 180 kW charger at hand.

Why the Detour Made Sense

When you’re running on a full battery and the main route is a bit long, a quick stop at the nearest super‑charger is a game‑changer. That 180‑kW boost meant I could plug in, grab a coffee (if you’re lucky), and keep rolling without losing precious minutes.

Takeaway

Keep your battery topped up and the road traffic light enough to maintain smooth speeds. A little detour to a fast charger can save you the long lay‑off you’d face if you did it later.

My Electrifying Trip Down the North‑South Expressway

Picture this: the Shell Recharge at Tangkak is the lone high‑performance charging (HPC) station along the entire North‑South Expressway. Like that one cool kid in class, it’s currently the star of the show—until a bunch of new stations pop up: Shell in Seremban (both North & South), Pagoh (South), Simpang Pulai (North), and Tapah (South). Get ready for a charging festival soon!

Why This One is a Bit Different

In Singapore, you can do a neat little tap on the app to pay and to see if the charger is up. Over here in Malaysia, it’s Park Easy that runs the show. So you can book a time slot an hour before you drive in, but you still can’t peek at the real‑time status.

Instead of hoping for luck, I gave the station a quick call—“Hello? Everything working?”—before I zoomed out of my driveway. If that feels a bit dramatic, trust me, it saved me from a potential charging fiasco.

First Stop: Tangkak

Started with 38% battery.
Charged up to 80% in just 29 minutes.
Quick pit‑stop: toilet, snack, and a latte from Costa Coffee—because battery life sometimes halves your coffee life.
Charge cost: RM164.00 for 32kWh (roughly USD 50.40).

Small Detour: Muar

I kept the driving to a minimum—just enough to pick up some grub and run a quick errand. No thrilling highways in this stretch; just a gentle roll.

Final Charge Before the Home Stretch

At Shell Tangkak, took the car from 51% to 100%—a hefty 42 minutes for 36kWh (RM204.00).
Back on the road: the return drive felt a little more spirited, but by the time I hit Singapore, the battery had dipped to a lonely 17%.
Needed about an hour and a half to finish the run—1 hr 34 min for 60.46 kWh (~ USD 33.25).

Truth About Long‑Distance EV Drives

Electric cars can tackle inter‑state journeys, but you’ll need to plan like a chess master: route, charging stops, and an army of patience. As charging infrastructure matures and battery tech steps up, the distance between what you can do and what you actually do will shrink. In the meantime, treat it like a scenic road trip with a bit of adorable drama.

Pleasing going

Electric‑Vehicle Magic: A Spark‑Packed Adventure

Who would’ve guessed an electric car could bring a burst of excitement into a mundane commute? I’m sticking to my classic self‑confident tone, but trust me – it’s not a gimmick. This ride was underwhelmingly thrilling, perhaps one of the best drives I’ve had in years.

Silence in Motion

Most EVs still have that soft motor hiss you hear while you’re on the road.
But the iX offers a substantially quieter experience—as if you’re drifting inside a bubble.
It’s like being on a magic carpet—every wheel turn feels effortless.

Luxury That Stretches

The leather seats are supple, inoculated with olivine leaf extracts.
They’re soft to the touch and hug your figure just enough to feel safe yet comfortable.
Both driver and passenger seats feature a rolling massage function—not the quirky, vibrating type, but a smooth, reassuring motion.
While cruising, the 18‑speaker Harmon Kardon surround system envelopes the cabin, earning a vibrant, immersive soundtrack.
It almost feels like traveling in a Singapore Airlines’ flying suite. Airline‑grade comfort, truly!

Only Two Small Gaps

The car’s high turning radius means you’ll have to adapt your driving habits when performing U‑turns.
In the end, I had to hand back the vehicle once I returned to Singapore.

All said, this electric workout transforms the usual sedan into a stealthy, sleek, and surprisingly delightful driving experience.

— Original article from sgCarMart, about electric vehicles and cross‑border travel.

Electric Vehicles Cross Borders—The Future of Sustainable Travel