Perodua has officially entered the electric vehicle market with the launch of the QV-E, a subcompact battery-electric crossover positioned as one of Asia’s most affordable EV options. The debut marks a major milestone for the Malaysian automaker, establishing its role as the country’s first homegrown producer of a fully electric vehicle.
Perodua steps into the EV segment with a homegrown model
Announced on 1 December, the QV-E is Perodua’s first battery-electric model and is designed to make EV ownership more accessible. The starting price is RM80,000 excluding the battery, a strategy meant to keep upfront costs low and appeal to cost-conscious buyers entering the EV market for the first time.
A key feature of the rollout is Perodua’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, which allows customers to lease the battery rather than buy it outright. The company retains battery ownership and charges a monthly fee—an approach that reduces financial pressure and helps address concerns about long-term battery degradation. Analysts note the model is tailored particularly toward middle-income households.
Technical specifications and production outlook
The QV-E is powered by a 52.5 kWh LFP battery delivering up to 378 km of range under the WLTP cycle. Perodua has begun with a production rate of 500 units per month and plans to expand to 3,000 units per month by the third quarter of 2026.
The company has invested approximately RM800 million into the project, reflecting Malaysia’s ambition to strengthen its domestic EV ecosystem and reduce reliance on imported models.
Domestic launch only, no exports planned yet
Despite growing interest from neighbouring markets, Perodua has confirmed that the QV-E will be sold exclusively in Malaysia for now. There are currently no plans to export the model to Pakistan or other countries.
Pakistan’s compact SUV and EV segments, however, continue to grow, with several new models introduced this year. As the country’s EV policy progresses and market interest rises, analysts believe Pakistan could emerge as a promising destination for budget-friendly electric vehicles in the future—even though the QV-E has not been included in Perodua’s export plans.
A regional indicator of affordable electric mobility
The launch of the QV-E highlights Malaysia’s increasing capability to develop cost-effective EV technology and signals broader regional momentum toward accessible electric mobility. While the model is currently limited to domestic consumers, it serves as a benchmark for Asia’s evolving demand for practical, homegrown EV solutions.
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