Perodua today unveiled the QV-E — its first Battery Electric Vehicle and, crucially, Malaysia’s first homegrown BEV. Priced from RM80,000 (retail price, without insurance & battery not included), the QV-E is the centrepiece of Perodua’s national effort to build a local EV ecosystem and address affordability and battery anxiety through a Battery-as-a-Service model.
Developed at a cost of RM800 million and assembled at Perodua’s new Smart Mobility Plant, the QV-E — short for Quest for Visionary Electric Vehicle — blends everyday practicality with advanced EV hardware and safety, the company says. “For now, we are able to produce 500 units a month, but we would be able to offer 3,000 units a month by the third quarter of 2026,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, said.
Powertrain, battery and charging — the headline numbers
- Battery: 52.5kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) high-voltage pack (143 Ah cell arrangement), liquid cooled, weight 405.7 kg, rated IP68/IP69.
- Motor: Front-wheel drive electric motor rated 150kW with 285Nm torque.
- Performance: 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds (Sport mode), top speed 165 km/h.
- Range claim: Up to 370km (WLTP) (actual will vary by driving style, temperature and conditions).
- Charging: Onboard AC 6.6 kW (0–100% ≈ 8 hours), DC fast charging 60 kW (30%–80% ≈ 30 minutes). V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) is supported.
The QV-E uses modern EV architecture (platform co-developed with Magna Steyr) intended to be scalable across A–B segment body types.
Packaging, dimensions and kerb details
Perodua positions the QV-E as a compact, practical sportback with packaging optimized for passenger comfort and cargo utility. The model’s kerb weight is listed at around 1,600kg, and Perodua specifies a comfortable 158mm ground clearance and 18″ wheel sizing aimed at real-world Malaysian roads.
Size-wise, the wheelbase is 2,680mm long and the body is 4,170mm (length) x 1,800mm (width) x 1,502mm (height). Luggage capacity is 320 litres. The car also has front & rear disc brakes and an integrated roof spoiler that underline the sportback stance.
Safety, driver assists and occupant tech — where QV-E stands out
Perodua has equipped the QV-E with a broad active and passive safety suite normally reserved for higher segments, including: Child Presence Detection (CPD) that senses movement and vital signs (even under fabric coverings) in the second-row and footwell areas, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Highway Assist (HWA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 6 airbags, Surround View Monitoring (SVM) and more. The CPD system also integrates with telematics to trigger app/SMS notifications and Perodua’s emergency call procedures.
“All the features within the QV-E were created with the latest functionality, advanced safety and comfort in mind based on a detailed study conducted by our Research and Development (R&D) department. Ultimately, this model is 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,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
Interior and convenience highlights
The QV-E’s interior packages modern features aimed at daily convenience and perceived quality: 10.25” display audio + 10.25” TFT meter combi, digital rear-view mirror, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, driver power seat, semi-leather upholstery, ambient lighting, rotary e-shift knob, 6-speaker audio, keyless entry & push-start, and an E-rotary shift knob.
Battery as a Service (BaaS) — how Perodua addresses battery anxiety and value
Perodua is rolling out a Battery as a Service subscription that keeps battery ownership with Perodua and sells the vehicle body separately. Key points from Perodua’s BaaS plan:
- Battery ownership: Perodua retains ownership of the high-voltage battery; the customer subscribes to a battery lease.
- Lease term example: 9 years (108 months) subscription is shown in the materials; Perodua guarantees battery performance >70% SOH during the leasing period and offers what it calls a lifetime guarantee on the battery while ownership remains with Perodua.
- Insurance & EOL: Under BaaS Perodua covers battery insurance, manages end-of-life disposal and installs a battery tracker (with its own power supply) to handle recovery and environmental safety. Perodua also proposes a “Battery Rescue” deployment in exceptional cases.
- Customer benefits: Lower OTR (because battery cost is excluded), lower downpayment, guaranteed battery performance, and Perodua-managed disposal — all designed to raise second-hand confidence.
“This concept is our solution towards reducing owner’s anxiety when owning a battery electric vehicle. By offering this service we will be able to offer a lifetime guarantee on the battery for our customers’ peace of mind,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
Pricing and availability
- Retail price (battery excluded): RM80,000 (retail price, without insurance & battery not included). Availability will be through selected Perodua outlets initially.
- Production: Perodua says 500 units/month initially, scaling to 3,000 units/month by Q3 2026.
Localisation & industry impact
Perodua developed the QV-E in 28 months with government support and aims for component localisation of >50% by early 2026 and 70% by 2030. Currently 52 Malaysian suppliers contribute parts to the QV-E, with a target to grow to 70 vendors by 2030. Perodua says its role aligns with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 to lead local automakers in building the EV ecosystem.
“The support given to us by the government has been instrumental in revolutionising the Malaysian EV ecosystem and at the same time placing great attention to quality, reliability and the latest in digital technology,” Dato’ Sri Zainal said.
CarTok Editor’s Take
Perodua’s QV-E is a pragmatic national EV — not exactly a halo toy but more a mass-market play with real engineering behind it: an LFP pack, a robust safety fitment (including CPD), fast charging support and an ownership model (BaaS) designed to neutralise the biggest friction points for Malaysian buyers. Whether the broader market accepts battery leasing remains to be seen, but the QV-E is an important step that could reshape how Malaysians think about EV ownership.
And if you’ve always been hesitant or dismissed EVs because of the perceived future used value due to battery depletion/replacement, here is an EV that takes away that concern.
