Perodua has announced that their first ever Battery Electric Vehicle, the Perodua QV-E will be priced lower. This is because the manufacturer together with its local partners have managed a major uptick in locally produced parts resulting in better efficiency to its first BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). “The new price for the QV-E will be RM93,999 to own outright or RM69,999 plus a monthly RM215 (with tax) Battery as a Service (BAAS) package (for 9 years). Good news as previously, the total package was over RM100,000. And knowing Malaysians, everyone balked at such prices.
Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said "“Perodua and its local vendors have been able to manufacture a significant number of parts locally, and this means that we can further protect local jobs while be less dependent on foreign technology and supply chains. This development is important as we can now build a more resilient inventory of spare parts – especially the car body parts – to ensure that customers can rely on readily available domestically produced items when they need it,”
Perodua has also managed to increase production to above 500 units a month and with added localisation, they are able to further optimise our operations, and are now sharing those benefits with valued customers.
However, this isn't the only good news. For a limited time, there is a special price (effective immediately) Perodua will give a special price of RM87,499 to completely own the QV-E or RM63,499 with Battery as a Service (BAAS) package, with a monthly fee of RM215 per month (including tax) for 9 years. This offer will end on 30 September 2026.
The BAAS package offers a comprehensive EV battery package that includes a comprehensive protection coverage for the battery, disposal and replacement of battery, and battery insurance throughout the package’s tenure.
The BAAS is offered to give customers peace of mind by allowing Perodua to manage the EV battery throughout their ownership experience during the 9-year leasing period.
“For those who wants to buy the QV-E on outright purchase, Perodua does offer to buy the battery when comes the time to dispose of it (the battery),” Dato’ Sri Zainal added.
The QV-E, which has a 5-star ASEAN-NCAP rating, uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (52.5kW) and has a range capacity of up to 445KM (NEDC) depending on driving style, temperature and road conditions.Perodua says that the BEV Hatchback excels at driving mid to long-range driving without the need for frequent charges, which can extend the life of the battery.
There is more news that will be particularly good for existing owners. As for QV-E existing customers, they will be given a special refund, and they will be contacted by their respective sales advisors soon.Existing QV-E customers will see their monthly BAAS fee reduced to RM215 per month from RM275 previously. The new monthly payment of RM215 will come into effect on their next payment cycle.
Malaysians can download Perodua's P-Circle super app to book their QV-E or visit authorised sales showrooms nationwide to know more about this
Opinion time.
Now when the QV-E was first launched, many balked at the price and separate battery 'rental' arrangement. Usually when new things happen, Malaysians are the first to jump and jump they did. Everything from the price to the BAAS package was called into question. I however think that this is Perodua's first BEV car and I also know that Perodua has a long history of trying out new things - remember the Perodua Nautica? The fully imported almost RM90,000 compact crossover from the early 2010s? People jumped back then as they never imagined a Perodua costing as much. Anyway, these days, we are seeing RM80,000 Peroduas. Times have changed.
The QV-E may be slightly pricey when launched, but this was/is Perodua's first electric car and unlike their other cars, it wasn't a Toyota/Daihatsu joint venture. Perodua went ahead on their own with this project and it could be safe to say that this is a test run of an epic proportion for them. The BAAS package was something new as even to this day, many are worried of owning an EV due to the cost of replacing a battery, if ever such a need arose. So why not test out a new way of doing battery changes. Could it be like you enter a toy store, buy a remote control car and you see the 'batteries not included' wording on the packaging?
So you buy the car, and the batteries are separate. Of course, no one would think of doing that to a real car. Which is why many were aghast.
Would I buy the QV-E now? I don't know. I personally am not looking for a car and I would still be thinking of something that is petrol engined. But this is cheaper now, and it is good looking too with a lot of sharp, rakish lines. It isn't a rounded blob like its other national competitor, so in terms of styling, it does have that advantage even if it still is slightly pricier than the e.MAS 5.
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