Malaysia’s national carmaker Proton this week officially launched its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the e.MAS-7 mid-size SUV. It is based on Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group’s Galaxy E5 model.

With an on-the-road launch price of MYR106,000 (US$23,835), available to its first 3,000 customers, the Prime model is powered by a 49.5 kWh Aegis battery, giving it a range of 345 km on a single charge. The Premium model has a 60.2 kWh battery, providing a range of 410 km, and has an initial price tag of MYR120,000 (US$26,930). Both models are driven by 218 PS (160 kW) front-mounted electric motors and come with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Proton announced that the e.MAS brand, an acronym for Electrifying Malaysia, will be used for all future electric vehicles. The automaker said it has appointed 17 dealers across the country for its e,MAS EV range so far and aims to have 30 dealers in place by 2025.

Proton’s CEO, Dr Li Chunrong, said in a statement: “The unveiling of the e.MAS brand and logo today marks a significant step forward in Proton’s journey towards launching our own EV model. Proton has been deliberate in its approach towards EVs, developing our knowledge base step by step to ensure we have a thorough understanding of the products, technology and user concerns before sales even begin.”

Earlier this year Proton opened its new R&D Centre China, located within the Geely Research Institute in Hangzhou Bay in China’s Zhejiang province, with the aim of strengthening the company’s “ability to conceptualise, design, develop and manufacture new vehicles from the ground up by enhancing the synergies of Proton’s existing in-house competencies with the resources and expertise of Geely.”

Proton is 50.1%-owned by Malaysian conglomerate DRB-HICOM, with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group holding the remaining 49.9% of its shares.