Malaysia has officially entered the era of locally engineered electric vehicles with the launch of the Perodua QV-E, unveiled moments ago by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at MITI’s headquarters. Positioned as an “important national agenda”, this milestone marks the nation’s first fully Malaysian-developed EV, a bold differentiator from Proton’s rebadged Geely-based eMas lineup.

A New Chapter: Perodua’s First Homegrown EV

Priced at RM80,000 (OTR without insurance), the QV-E introduces a new ownership structure: the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. Instead of purchasing the battery outright, owners lease it for RM275 a month, bundled together with their car instalment as a single payment through the bank.

Sample Monthly Payments (2.5% interest)

  • 9 years: RM910 + RM275 = RM1,185
  • 7 years: RM1,120 + RM275 = RM1,395
  • 5 years: RM1,500 + RM275 = RM1,775
  • Cash buyers: RM275/month battery lease

Perodua says BaaS directly addresses the “big three” EV concerns:
• expensive battery replacement
• poor resale value
• safe battery disposal

Designed and Engineered by Malaysians — With Help From the Best

Despite its ties with Daihatsu, Perodua had no donor EV platform to adapt. When the government tasked the brand in 2023 to deliver a national EV by 2025, Perodua essentially had to start from scratch.

In just 266,000 R&D hours and RM800 million invested, Perodua created the P01A project — the foundation of the QV-E.

A major surprise came when Perodua revealed its technical partner: Magna Steyr (MS) — the world-renowned contract manufacturer behind the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota GR Supra, BMW Z4 and more.

Key Highlights

  • Magna Steyr consulted on platform development
  • Platform is modular: future sedan, hatchback & SUV variants possible
  • Hybrid and REEV layouts can be adopted
  • Perodua holds full intellectual property for the platform

This marks a historic moment: Perodua stepping beyond the Toyota–Daihatsu orbit to engineer something truly Malaysian.

Size & Design: A Sporty EV for the Lifestyle Market

Forget the viral “mini EV6” speculation — the QV-E is actually smaller than expected, positioned as a sporty lifestyle EV rather than a family hauler.

Dimensions

  • Length: 4,170 mm (275 mm longer than Myvi)
  • Width: 1,800 mm (+65 mm vs Myvi)
  • Height: 1,502 mm (13 mm lower)
  • Wheelbase: 2,680 mm (+180 mm)
  • Ground Clearance: 158 mm (slightly lower than Myvi)

Compared to rivals:

  • Slightly larger than Proton eMas 5, but lower and sportier
  • More compact inside than BYD Dolphin, especially rear seats

Perodua openly states the QV-E is targeted at M40/T20 urban buyers, especially young professionals or adults still living in multi-car households. Rear passenger space is not the priority, lifestyle design is.

Performance: The Fastest Perodua Ever

With 204 PS and 285 Nm, the QV-E becomes the most powerful Perodua in history.

Performance & Range

  • 0–100 km/h: 7.5 seconds
  • Top speed: 165 km/h
  • Battery: 52.5 kWh LFP (CATL)
  • NEDC range: 445 km (~380 km WLTP-estimated)
  • DC charging: Up to 60 kW (30–80% in 30 mins)
  • AC charging: 6.6 kW (0–100% in 8 hours)

Despite the battery weighing 405 kg, the QV-E’s acceleration makes it the quickest Malaysian car ever offered.

Packed With Perodua-First Features

The QV-E debuts a long list of brand-first equipment:

Key Perodua-First Tech

  • Digital rear-view mirror (as seen in Lexus/Toyota premium models)
  • Powered driver’s seat
  • Ambient lighting
  • 10.25-inch infotainment system
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • Wireless phone charger
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
  • Soft-touch dashboard
  • Tyre repair kit (no spare)

New Safety Innovations

  • Child Presence Detection (CPD): uses millimetre-wave sensors to detect breathing/movement
  • Sends alerts via horn, lights, app + SMS
  • Functions even under blankets and in the dark, up to 85°C
  • Built-in SOS button linked to MERS 999

Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS): The Heart of the Ownership Model

Perodua handles the battery entirely — from health to warranty to end-of-life disposal.

Why BaaS Matters

  • Battery stays under Perodua’s ownership & responsibility
  • Replacement triggered when SoH drops below 70%
  • Resale value remains stable since the next owner starts a fresh contract
  • Battery insurance also handled by Perodua

Additional Details

  • BaaS is mandatory; no option to buy battery outright
  • Car resale must go through Perodua POV to maintain battery passport and contract transition
  • Battery theft or uncontrolled removal triggers battery tracker & rescue team

Effectively, this gives owners a lifetime battery warranty.

Not Just a Car — A Full EV Ecosystem

Perodua has built an entire support system around the QV-E:

  • P-Circle App
  • Smart home wallbox with CCTV & touchscreen
  • P-Go smartwatch
  • P-Charge Mobile (184 kWh portable DC charger, concept)
  • Charging assistance trucks for highways (concept)

As part of Malaysia’s NIMP 2030, Perodua aims for:

  • 50% local EV content by early 2026
  • 70% by 2030, including traction motor localisation

Production, Sales & Where to Buy

The QV-E is built at Perodua’s new Smart Mobility Plant in Sg Choh, with additional processes supported by the Tan Chong Serendah plant.

Authorised EV Outlets

Klang Valley

  • Perodua Sentral (PJ)
  • Glenmarie
  • Putrajaya

West Coast

  • Juru
  • Ipoh (Jalan Lahat)
  • Senawang
  • Johor Bahru (Jalan Tampoi)

East Coast

  • Kota Bharu (Batu 4)
  • Kuantan

Final Thoughts

The Perodua QV-E is more than a new model, it is Malaysia’s first bold step toward a homegrown EV ecosystem. At RM80k + RM275/month, it may sit above the Proton eMas 5, but it delivers:

✓ better performance
✓ more features
✓ longer range
✓ unique design
✓ local R&D and platform ownership

Is the QV-E the spark that will ignite Malaysia’s EV revolution?
Let’s talk — what’s your take?