After two teasers over the past two years, Perodua has now presented its final preview of its first-ever EV model, in “half-cut” form at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025. It’s wrapped in a sort-of-vantablack decal, so we can barely see the car at all – but the country’s second national carmaker did share a fair amount of additional juicy details about their upcoming EV model.
First and foremost, unlike the hatchback we’ve seen on the previous concepts, the yet-unnamed Perodua EV is now a “lower B-segment” SUV, with an outline suggesting a sloping fastback roof. Exact dimensions remain unknown, but picture a Myvi with extra ride height and you’ll probably be close.
Specifications wise, Perodua quotes an approximate driving range of 400 km on the NEDC cycle, 60 kW DC fast-charging capability, and a top speed of 165 km/h. It’ll also be Perodua’s first model to utilise hot press-formed steel, which, alongside with the “ADAS 2.0++” capabilities, will contribute to a targeted 5-star ANCAP rating.
More importantly, the EV model is also a wholly-locally developed model, with zero involvement from its traditional technical partner (and part owner) Daihatsu. The entire EV architecture is a clean-sheet design developed entirely by Perodua, who also holds its intellectual property rights.
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The EV will be built at a new purpose-built BEV plant, with the goal of maximising localisation. Currently, some 41 vendors are already signed up to provide traditional ancillary parts – which Perodua stresses will be genuinely local components, not “pass-through localised” items.
The brand aspires to build a domestic EV ecosystem in the near future, and will upskill suppliers and bring at least 20 Malaysian vendors into what it calls the “EV heart” supply chain, producing EV drivetrain parts.
ALSO READ: Perodua eMO-II concept unveiled at KLIMS 2024 – functional prototype with CATL-sourced battery!
For the initial phase, the car will source its batteries from CATL and imported from China, although there are plans to localise pack production later. To address concerns over battery lifespan and cost, Perodua is also introducing an innovative Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, a first for the local industry.
Under BaaS, owners would pay a monthly fee of a “few hundred Ringgit” for battery use, according to Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad. If the battery state of health falls below a set baseline level at anytime during the leasing period (even exceeding the usual eight-year warranty period), the pack can be replaced at Perodua service centres free of charge, removing the headache of owning a high-voltage battery outright.
Perodua is working with partner banks to bundle the subscription into regular loan repayments. Customers who prefer conventional ownership can still buy the car together with the battery included, although as you’d expect, it’ll be at a higher price.
Earlier this year, the company indicated a target price of around RM80,000 for the car, though it is unclear whether that figure includes the battery. On paper, BaaS could help ease the depreciation worries that often shadow used EVs; its appeal will ultimately hinge on the final monthly rate.
Either way, it won’t be too much longer of a wait, as the Perodua EV model will be making its official debut by December 2025!
READ MORE: Perodua’s first EV due in December 2025, testing to begin in June
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