From Germany to Malaysia: What EVCC™ Pedas RSA Can Learn from Sortimo Innovations Park

Image Credit : Sortimo Innovations Park

When Sortimo Innovations Park Zusmarshausen opened in Germany, it marked a turning point for highway infrastructure in the EV era. With over 70 ultra-fast charging bays (scalable to 144), its core idea is simple yet transformative: a rest area is not just a pit stop — it’s a strategic energy node, a retail destination, and a sustainability showcase.

As Malaysia charts its electric vehicle future, the Sortimo model offers key insights into how we might reimagine our own Rest and Service Areas (RSAs). Here are five lessons from Sortimo Innovations Park that could shape the future of Malaysian expressway hubs.

1. Backend-First Charging Infrastructure: Smarter, Scalable, and Safer

At the heart of Sortimo’s engineering is a modular DC fast charging system that separates the visible charging points from the backend power cabinets. This architecture — adopted from advanced European systems like eLoaded — enables multiple chargers to share power dynamically via a central cabinet, instead of operating as independent units.

The system supports high total load (up to 6.3 MW) and allows for modular upgrades without overhauling the entire electrical system. Importantly, it uses a low-voltage trickle test to verify the connection before full charging, reducing hardware damage and increasing user confidence.

The benefits are clear:

• Reduced infrastructure redundancy

• Lower energy losses (up to 30%)

• Future integration with solar and battery systems

• Ease of expansion with growing EV adoption

For Malaysia’s highway ecosystem, which is expected to see exponential EV uptake over the next decade, this grid-friendly and scalable architecture lays the foundation for efficient and resilient charging networks.

2. Designing for Dwell Time: The Rest Stop as a Lifestyle Experience

Sortimo goes beyond utility — it creates a destination. The developers understood a fundamental truth of EV charging: charging takes longer than fueling, and that time can be economically activated. Instead of bare concrete bays, the site includes cafés, retail outlets, co-working lounges, and wellness facilities.

Charging becomes an experience, not an inconvenience.

This model is highly applicable in Malaysia, where rest areas are often family-centric and part of the travel culture. A thoughtfully designed RSA can cater to this behaviour by:

• Offering food courts and popular retail brands

• Creating comfortable shaded seating and family amenities

• Designing open-concept, naturally ventilated spaces

• Supporting local businesses through pop-up kiosks or stalls

  
  

The more appealing the space, the more likely visitors will stay — increasing both commercial returns and user satisfaction during longer EV charging sessions.

3. Sustainability as Architectural Identity

Sortimo isn’t just a technological hub — it’s also a green icon. The park integrates solar photovoltaics, timber features, rainwater harvesting, and ecological landscaping into its physical design. The sustainability is not hidden in mechanical rooms — it’s visible, intentional, and symbolic.

In Malaysia, where climate goals and environmental stewardship are rising priorities, this lesson is critical. Buildings that “look” sustainable send a strong message, attracting ESG-conscious investors, tenants, and customers alike.

Opportunities for RSA development include:

• Bifacial solar skylights that double as natural lighting

• Green roofs and vertical landscaping

• Cross-ventilated, high-ceiling structures to minimise cooling loads

• Rainwater harvesting for landscape and sanitation use

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These are not just environmental features — they’re strategic differentiators in design, cost management, and public perception.

4. Strategic Siting and Circulation: Designing for Traffic Efficiency

One of Sortimo’s biggest success factors is its location on the A8 Autobahn, one of Germany’s busiest corridors. The facility is positioned for maximum visibility, accessibility, and capture of both long-haul and local traffic. Internally, the site uses dedicated lanes and well-zoned parking to support smooth circulation for EVs, ICE vehicles, buses, and trucks.

Such planning ensures the RSA remains intuitive to navigate even during peak festive travel periods — and makes the space work for multiple user groups, from families to fleet drivers.

5. Multi-Stakeholder Ecosystem: Building Beyond a Single Developer

Sortimo’s success wasn’t the work of a single company. It was the result of a coordinated effort involving:

• Private infrastructure developers

• Government stakeholders

• Energy technology firms

• Retail and F&B tenants

This kind of ecosystem approach is vital for Malaysia’s EV infrastructure to succeed at scale. By blending private capital, public support, and diversified commercial tenants, RSAs can evolve into high-performance mobility hubs with long-term investment potential.

Future RSA developments should aim for:

• Private-public funding models

• Utility integration with TNB, solar IPPs, and grid operators

• Anchor tenancy from established F&B brands

• Smart city integration — IoT, surveillance, and energy monitoring

Done right, each RSA becomes more than a location — it becomes a node in Malaysia’s national EV corridor, with energy, mobility, and commerce fully interconnected.

Conclusion: The Rest Stop of the Future Is Already Here

Sortimo Innovationspark didn’t just build a bigger charging station — it redefined the purpose of the rest area. It challenged the idea that refueling is transactional. Instead, it turned it into an opportunity to recharge — both the battery and the body — within an intelligently designed, environmentally responsible, and commercially vibrant space.

Malaysia doesn’t need to copy Sortimo, but we can certainly localise its lessons. With the right combination of smart charging infrastructure, architectural identity, strategic planning, and stakeholder collaboration, we can build rest stops that power not just vehicles — but the future of highway travel in Southeast Asia.

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