KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua gave us the first official glimpse of its future electric hatchback with the EM-O concept at last year's Malaysian Autoshow. Well, this year's edition of the event marks the debut of the Perodua EMO-i concept.

Dubbed the Myvi Conversion, the latest model is Perodua’s first working electric vehicle (EV) prototype. It will act as a foundation for the brand’s electrification journey in compact cars.

The electric drivetrain of the EMO-I concept consists of two main parts - a power bench and a power converter. The former is developed by Perodua itself in conjunction with three local universities – Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, and Universiti Putra Malaysia. However, for the development of the power conversion technology, it has partnered with an Australian company.

The Myvi EV concept features a 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor tuned to generate 163 hp of maximum power and 220 Nm of peak torque. Feeding the motor is a 55.7 kWh Prismatic Li-ion Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack, offering a driving range of 350 km. The battery supports up to 11 kW AC charging and 50 kW DC charging.

The EV's overall styling and design look striking, with fancy decals, aero caps, and vibrant green accents along its lower edge. The automaker has also revamped the hatchback’s headlights and tail lights for a futuristic look. Inside the Perodua EMO-I concept, we can find an Android tablet, a modified steering wheel, a 4-seater layout, and a special rotary gear selector.

Upon selecting the Myvi for conversion, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, “We chose the Perodua Myvi as the model of choice for this project as it has captured the imagination and attention of most Malaysians.”

“The actual first Perodua EV will look different from what is on display here, but be assured that the day is coming.”

Enthusiasts can explore the Perodua Myvi EV concept in person at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024. They can interact with company personnel to learn more about the brand's latest developments, including the Perodua New Outlet Standards. The latter is an ongoing transformation effort aimed at providing valued customers with a seamless experience at Perodua's 3S centres.

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