Perodua QV-E Debuts: Malaysia’s First Homegrown EV Starts a New Chapter
Perodua has officially entered the EV game — and this time, it’s not a rebadge.
The company has unveiled the QV-E, its very first battery-electric vehicle and what it calls Malaysia’s first truly homegrown EV, marking a major turning point for the national carmaker and the country’s wider EV ambitions.
Priced from RM80,000 (excluding battery and insurance), the QV-E introduces a different ownership model compared to most EVs on the market. Instead of buying the battery outright, owners will lease it under Perodua’s new Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme — a move designed to lower upfront costs and remove long-term battery replacement worries.
The launch is more than just another new car reveal. It’s Perodua’s first fully developed EV under Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), where the company was appointed to help lead local EV ecosystem development.
Built in Malaysia, Built for Malaysia
The QV-E — short for Quest for Visionary Electric Vehicle — took around RM800 million to develop and was completed in just 28 months, making it one of Perodua’s biggest engineering projects to date.
Production takes place at Perodua’s new Smart Mobility Plant, with initial output set at 500 units monthly, before ramping up to 3,000 units per month by Q3 2026.
What makes this project bigger than the car itself is localisation.
Perodua says over 52 local companies are already supplying parts for the QV-E, with local content expected to hit 50% by 2026 and climb to 70% by 2030 — a major boost for Malaysia’s automotive supply chain.
Not Just Affordable — Surprisingly Capable
Under the floor sits a 52.5kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a claimed range of up to 445km (NEDC).
Real-world estimates place that closer to around 350km to 380km WLTP-equivalent, which still puts it in a competitive position for daily city driving and interstate travel.
Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing 204PS and 285Nm, making it the most powerful Perodua ever built. The 0–100km/h sprint takes about 7.5 seconds, with top speed rated at 165km/h.
That’s a big jump from Perodua’s usual economy-focused image.
Safety Gets a Big Upgrade
One standout feature is the new Child Presence Detection (CPD) system.
Unlike standard rear-seat reminder systems, QV-E’s CPD can actually detect movement and breathing patterns inside the rear cabin — even if a child or pet is covered under fabric — before alerting the driver.
That’s a rare feature even in higher-end vehicles.
The car is also expected to come with Perodua’s latest ADAS package, digital connectivity features, wireless smartphone integration, and over-the-air software capability, although the full spec sheet is being released in stages.
The Battery Leasing Bet
Perodua’s biggest gamble here isn’t the car — it’s the battery business model.
Instead of bundling battery cost into the vehicle price, buyers lease it separately. Reports suggest the battery plan sits around RM275 monthly over 9 years, while Perodua retains battery ownership and offers a lifetime battery warranty, including replacement if battery health drops below a certain threshold.
It’s a bold move.
For buyers, that means lower entry cost.
For Perodua, it means tighter battery quality control and better second-hand value management.
A New Era for Perodua
For decades, Perodua built its reputation on affordable, practical petrol cars.
The QV-E changes that story.
It’s the brand’s first real step into electrification, its most advanced car yet, and arguably its most important product in years.
Whether Malaysians embrace the battery leasing model remains to be seen — but one thing is clear:
Perodua is no longer watching the EV race from the sidelines. It’s officially in it.
