Perodua QV-E Makes Its Debut — Malaysia’s First Homegrown EV With Magna Steyr Expertise, 7.5s 0–100, 445 km Range, RM80k
Malaysia has officially entered the era of locally engineered electric vehicles with the launch of the Perodua QV-E, unveiled moments ago by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at MITI’s headquarters. Positioned as an “important national agenda”, this milestone marks the nation’s first fully Malaysian-developed EV, a bold differentiator from Proton’s rebadged Geely-based eMas lineup.
A New Chapter: Perodua’s First Homegrown EV
Priced at RM80,000 (OTR without insurance), the QV-E introduces a new ownership structure: the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. Instead of purchasing the battery outright, owners lease it for RM275 a month, bundled together with their car instalment as a single payment through the bank.
Sample Monthly Payments (2.5% interest)
- 9 years: RM910 + RM275 = RM1,185
- 7 years: RM1,120 + RM275 = RM1,395
- 5 years: RM1,500 + RM275 = RM1,775
- Cash buyers: RM275/month battery lease
Perodua says BaaS directly addresses the “big three” EV concerns:
• expensive battery replacement
• poor resale value
• safe battery disposal
Designed and Engineered by Malaysians — With Help From the Best
Despite its ties with Daihatsu, Perodua had no donor EV platform to adapt. When the government tasked the brand in 2023 to deliver a national EV by 2025, Perodua essentially had to start from scratch.
In just 266,000 R&D hours and RM800 million invested, Perodua created the P01A project — the foundation of the QV-E.
A major surprise came when Perodua revealed its technical partner: Magna Steyr (MS) — the world-renowned contract manufacturer behind the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota GR Supra, BMW Z4 and more.
Key Highlights
- Magna Steyr consulted on platform development
- Platform is modular: future sedan, hatchback & SUV variants possible
- Hybrid and REEV layouts can be adopted
- Perodua holds full intellectual property for the platform
This marks a historic moment: Perodua stepping beyond the Toyota–Daihatsu orbit to engineer something truly Malaysian.
Size & Design: A Sporty EV for the Lifestyle Market
Forget the viral “mini EV6” speculation — the QV-E is actually smaller than expected, positioned as a sporty lifestyle EV rather than a family hauler.
Dimensions
- Length: 4,170 mm (275 mm longer than Myvi)
- Width: 1,800 mm (+65 mm vs Myvi)
- Height: 1,502 mm (13 mm lower)
- Wheelbase: 2,680 mm (+180 mm)
- Ground Clearance: 158 mm (slightly lower than Myvi)
Compared to rivals:
- Slightly larger than Proton eMas 5, but lower and sportier
- More compact inside than BYD Dolphin, especially rear seats
Perodua openly states the QV-E is targeted at M40/T20 urban buyers, especially young professionals or adults still living in multi-car households. Rear passenger space is not the priority, lifestyle design is.
Performance: The Fastest Perodua Ever
With 204 PS and 285 Nm, the QV-E becomes the most powerful Perodua in history.
Performance & Range
- 0–100 km/h: 7.5 seconds
- Top speed: 165 km/h
- Battery: 52.5 kWh LFP (CATL)
- NEDC range: 445 km (~380 km WLTP-estimated)
- DC charging: Up to 60 kW (30–80% in 30 mins)
- AC charging: 6.6 kW (0–100% in 8 hours)
Despite the battery weighing 405 kg, the QV-E’s acceleration makes it the quickest Malaysian car ever offered.
Packed With Perodua-First Features
The QV-E debuts a long list of brand-first equipment:
Key Perodua-First Tech
- Digital rear-view mirror (as seen in Lexus/Toyota premium models)
- Powered driver’s seat
- Ambient lighting
- 10.25-inch infotainment system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
- Soft-touch dashboard
- Tyre repair kit (no spare)
New Safety Innovations
- Child Presence Detection (CPD): uses millimetre-wave sensors to detect breathing/movement
- Sends alerts via horn, lights, app + SMS
- Functions even under blankets and in the dark, up to 85°C
- Built-in SOS button linked to MERS 999
Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS): The Heart of the Ownership Model
Perodua handles the battery entirely — from health to warranty to end-of-life disposal.
Why BaaS Matters
- Battery stays under Perodua’s ownership & responsibility
- Replacement triggered when SoH drops below 70%
- Resale value remains stable since the next owner starts a fresh contract
- Battery insurance also handled by Perodua
Additional Details
- BaaS is mandatory; no option to buy battery outright
- Car resale must go through Perodua POV to maintain battery passport and contract transition
- Battery theft or uncontrolled removal triggers battery tracker & rescue team
Effectively, this gives owners a lifetime battery warranty.
Not Just a Car — A Full EV Ecosystem
Perodua has built an entire support system around the QV-E:
- P-Circle App
- Smart home wallbox with CCTV & touchscreen
- P-Go smartwatch
- P-Charge Mobile (184 kWh portable DC charger, concept)
- Charging assistance trucks for highways (concept)
As part of Malaysia’s NIMP 2030, Perodua aims for:
- 50% local EV content by early 2026
- 70% by 2030, including traction motor localisation
Production, Sales & Where to Buy
The QV-E is built at Perodua’s new Smart Mobility Plant in Sg Choh, with additional processes supported by the Tan Chong Serendah plant.
Authorised EV Outlets
Klang Valley
- Perodua Sentral (PJ)
- Glenmarie
- Putrajaya
West Coast
- Juru
- Ipoh (Jalan Lahat)
- Senawang
- Johor Bahru (Jalan Tampoi)
East Coast
- Kota Bharu (Batu 4)
- Kuantan
Final Thoughts
The Perodua QV-E is more than a new model, it is Malaysia’s first bold step toward a homegrown EV ecosystem. At RM80k + RM275/month, it may sit above the Proton eMas 5, but it delivers:
✓ better performance
✓ more features
✓ longer range
✓ unique design
✓ local R&D and platform ownership
Is the QV-E the spark that will ignite Malaysia’s EV revolution?
Let’s talk — what’s your take?
