Malaysia’s second national car company, Perodua, has launched its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) – the QV-E (Quest for Visionary Electric Vehicle), joining a growing list of companies producing zero-emission vehicles in the country. Last month Proton, the country’s first national car company, launched its second locally-produced BEV model, the e.MAS 5, based on the Geely Xingyuan.
Perodua claims its new battery-powered QV-E compact crossover vehicle was developed in-house, in collaboration with its Japanese partner Daihatsu Motor. It is powered by a 52.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by China’s CATL, providing a maximum power output of 150 kW and a range of 445 km. It can be charged from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes.
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Perodua said that the QV-E cost MYR 800 million (US$ 195 million) to develop, over a period of 28 months. It is produced at the company’s newest manufacturing facility in Sungai Choh, Selangor. Pilot production began in November, with commercial production currently being ramped up.
Perodua’s CEO, Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, confirmed that the plant “is now able to produce 500 units a month, but we should be able to increase this to 3,000 units a month by the third quarter of 2026.”
Mr Ahmad pointed out that the QV-E “is ultimately 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.” A total of 52 local manufacturers currently supply components for the QV-E, and this is expected to increase to 70 over the next few years.
The QV-E is priced at MYR 79,552 (US$ 19,360), excluding the battery pack which is available through the Perodua Battery Leasing Plan for MYR 275 (US$ 67) per month.
