Perodua EV: What do we know so far

Perodua is a name that resonates quite well with Malaysian car buyers. The brand is known for its affordable and fuel-efficient cars like the Axia, Bezza, and Myvi, holding approximately 48% market share of the total car sales in the country. Backed by this strong popularity and wide appeal, Perodua is geared up to begin its electrification journey.

As we know, the national automaker has been working on its first battery-operated car for quite some time. Perodua gave us the first official glimpse of its first-ever EV with the eM-O concept at Malaysian Autoshow 2023, followed by the eMO-I prototype at the next edition of the show. 

The latest development we saw was in the form of the eMO-II electric hatchback concept at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility 2024 held in December. During this event, the automaker confirmed that its EV is still in the prototype stage, and there are plenty of other features and improvements that will be added to the final production version.

As the excitement builds up, many questions arise: When will it launch, how much will it cost, and what range will it offer? So, here’s everything we know so far about the Perodua EV.

When will the Perodua EV be launched?

While the exact date has not been announced yet, Perodua’s first-ever electric car is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year. The launch will likely follow the typical rollout strategy, starting with a teaser campaign, official unveiling, and price announcement.

How much will the Perodua EV cost?

Affordability is still a concern when it comes to the mass adoption of electric cars in Malaysia, and Perodua has been tasked by the government to address this challenge. Thus, the brand’s first-ever EV is set to be priced under RM 100,000, making it one of the most affordable EVs in the country, even without the RM 100,000 CBU price limit.

However, some recent reports suggest that the upcoming Malaysian EV could be priced at around RM 80,000 without a battery pack. Yes, you read it right. The automaker is planning to introduce a battery leasing system for the first time in Malaysia. In this scheme, the purchase price of the EV will not include the battery cost, and owners will have to pay a battery rental amount, separate from the charging cost.

Some of the benefits of the battery leasing system are - reduced upfront cost, no concern about battery degradation, and better resale value.

How much range will the Perodua EV offer on a single charge? 

Perodua EV is expected to get an LFP battery pack sourced from CATL (a leading EV battery maker), offering a range of 400 to 410 km on a single charge. Initially, the motor, inverter, and battery will be imported, with plans to localize them later. 

As for electric motor output, Perodua remains tight-lipped during the eMO-II preview, but we can refer to the eMO-I concept for an idea. The latter featured a 3-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor tuned to generate 163 hp of maximum power and 220 Nm of peak torque. 

How long will the Perodua EV take to get charged?

The Perodua EV will support both AC and DC charging power, juicing up the 100% battery in approximately 8 eight hours when using the AC unit. However, the DC charging is expected to provide 30-80% SoC in just 30 minutes.

What advanced features will be included in the Perodua EV?

The electric car looks bold and futuristic, with sharp angles and sleek curves. In terms of features, we can expect LED headlights and tail lights, sleek displays with a digital instrument cluster, modern touchscreens for controls, and other creature comforts such as an automatic air-conditioning system, powered front seats, and a rearview camera. The EV may come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, offering protection to occupants as well as other road users.

Also read: Perodua teams up with Telekom Malaysia to develop hi-tech EVs

What are the main rivals of the Perodua EV?

As per price point and size, the Perodua EV will rival affordable EVs like the Neta V,  BYD Dolphin, and the upcoming Proton eMAS 5. 

Models	Price
Neta V	RM 100,000
BYD Dolphin	RM 100,530 - RM 125,530
Proton e.MAS 5	Likely to be priced under RM 100k

The Neta V, priced at RM 100,000, currently holds the title of Malaysia’s cheapest EV, and with the CKD version in the pipeline, the price is expected to come down further. However, it is a basic car that lacks quality and safety and falls short of Perodua standards.

Another rival is the BYD Dolphin, which is one of the top five EVs in Malaysia. It comes in two variants - Dynamic Standard Range and Premium Extended Range, priced at RM 100,530 and RM 125,530, respectively.

The Perodua EV is also likely to rival the upcoming Proton e.MAS 5, which is also expected to launch later this year. It is a rebadged model of the Geely Xingyuan electric hatchback and will be positioned below the e.MAS 7 in the brand’s lineup.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Perodua’s first EV appears as an affordable and practical option in the world of sustainable mobility with an expected price tag of less than RM 100,000. With its launch still months away, more concrete details will emerge, till then, sit back and get ready to go electric without breaking the bank!

Also read: Perodua joins forces with UTM to drive next-gen EVs development