So the Perodua QV-E has launched and it will cost RM80,000 before insurance and a battery subscription service. It is very good looking compared to the competition at its Rm80k price but once you head over to the nearest showroom bear in mind that it comes with a separate battery monthly installment to think about. New. Unique. Surprising.
Details in how much it costs will be shared later but this us essentially Perodua's take on the battery EV. It has over 439km estimated range, looks good and packed with features like all cars coming into 2026 needs to be.
The unique feature for me is that this is fully a Perodua with an outside partner that isn't part of the Toyota ecosystem. The car is fully a Perodua venture so kudos to them for the initiative. If everything is successful, there is a probability that it would be adopted by the group for regional sales like how the Perodua Myvi was adopted for Indonesia as an example.
So there are people who will question why it costs so much versus their competitor Proton. Well, this, is a whole new car designed and built by Perodua. The eMAS 5 is a Geely rebadge and essentially a China car, where they are somehow able to keep costs down. Or some sort if magical way with numbers.
Much like the Perodua Nautica. The first RM80k vehicle by them was basically an experiment in gauging the market reception. This QV-E is just that. A first time EV effort and a first time sales test for EV adoption by the brand. Knowing Perodua, test or not, the car will be of a certain high quality that we have been used to see in their vehicles so expect it to be good from that point of view.
Press release
Perodua launches its first Battery Electric Vehicle (EV) named QV-E priced at RM80,000 (retail price, without insurance & battery not included), as part of the national car company’s agenda to develop a sustainable EV ecosystem.
The QV-E, which stands for “Quest for Visionary Electric Vehicle” took RM800 million to develop and is produced at Perodua’s newest manufacturing facility – the “Smart Mobility Plant”.
“For now, we are able to produce 500 units a month, but we would be able to offer
3,000 units a month by the third quarter of 2026,” Perodua President and Chief
Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said.
The QV-E 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.
This model hosts the latest in safety features including a Child Presence Detection (CPD) system.
This system will alert the driver if there is a child or even pets in the car as it can
detect and track movements as well as vital signs (such as breathing) in the
second-row seat and within the footwell area of the car. The system can also detect
movement even under fabric coverings.
(An illustration of how this system works is included with this media release).
“All the features within the QV-E were created with the latest functionality, advanced safety and comfort in mind based on a detailed study conducted by our Research and Development (R&D) department.
“Ultimately, this model is the outcome of Malaysians coming together to create
something uniquely ours, from design to engineering, the QV-E offers a path all of us can benefit from,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
In the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister
Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 1 September 2023, Perodua was appointed to
champion and lead the local automotive manufacturers in developing the EV
ecosystem.
Perodua is aggressively working with local vendors to localise the components to
over 50% by early 2026 and to 70% by 2030. So far, a total of 52 Malaysian
companies supply auto components for QV-E and the compact car company is
looking to increase the number to 70 vendors within 5 years (by 2030).
Led by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and supported by
various ministries and government agencies, Perodua was able to produce an EV vehicle in 28 months.
“The support given to us by the government has been instrumental in revolutionising the Malaysian EV ecosystem and at the same time placing great attention to quality, reliability and the latest in digital technology,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
The main target buyers consist of middle-income earners and above, additional car
buyer or replacement car buyer for daily use or weekend trips.
Perodua also introduces the battery leasing concept known as ‘Battery as a Service’
whereby the car’s body is sold separately from the battery.
“This concept is our solution towards reducing owner’s anxiety when owning a
battery electric vehicle. By offering this service we will be able to offer a lifetime
guarantee on the battery for our customers’ peace of mind,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
The QV-E is in two colours, “Ice Blue” and Caviar Grey” and is only available at
selected Perodua outlets (listing available together with this media release).
A full list of the vehicle’s specifications and leasing battery explanation are available
together with this media release (down below).
