KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s standing in the sustainable electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem has been given a boost with the launch of Perodua’s first battery EV, the QV-E, which has earned praises from the Prime Minister.
Admitting that he was anxious when the idea was presented to him, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was proud of the achievement.
“When (Investment, Trade and Industry Minister) Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz proposed in September 2023 a direction that required Perodua to prepare for the launch of an EV, I felt a little bit anxious.
“I thought the goal was quite ambitious, and perhaps we lacked the local skills and expertise.
“But today, I am very proud, not only because of this Perodua EV launch, but also because it was made possible through the knowledge, discipline, effort and perseverance of our local talent,” he said when launching QV-E at Menara Miti here.
Major milestone: Anwar launching Perodua’s first battery electric vehicle – the QV-E – as part of plans to develop a sustainable EV ecosystem. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
The QV-E, which stands for “Quest for Visionary Electric Vehicle”, took RM800mil to develop and is produced at Perodua’s newest manufacturing facility – the Smart Mobility Plant in Sungai Chih, Selangor.
The QV-E uses a lithium iron phosphate battery (52.5kW) and has a range capacity of up to 445km, depending on driving style, temperature and road conditions.
This model boasts the latest in safety features, including a child presence detection system.
Perodua has also introduced a battery leasing concept known as “Battery as a Service”, whereby the car’s body is sold separately from the battery.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia is able to achieve any of its goals with determination, discipline and confidence.
“We can prove that not only Perodua, but Malaysia as a whole, can elevate the nation’s stature and progress (through this project),” said Anwar.
He said Perodua has operated for 32 years, fulfilling its mandate and leading national aspirations in industrialisation, technology and skills development.
“That is why I reiterate, this feels a little different.
“This is not an ordinary launch, this is a special launch for our country,” he added.
He also praised Perodua for proving that even with constraints due to slow or limited technology transfer, it still managed to achieve its target.
“This is thanks to Perodua, our local universities, educators and scientists that possess strong internal capabilities,” said the Prime Minister.
Anwar also said that more than 52 local vendors were involved, adding that localisation and vendor management have been Perodua’s key focuses, ensuring that local production is supported by domestic supply chains.
“We are now entering a new phase with electric vehicles, enhanced with digital initiatives, making these vehicles not only modern and high-tech, but also competitive against other companies.
“I believe we will continue to expand our efforts, exploring markets both domestically and internationally. I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as a Perodua advocate,” he said.
The Prime Minister said while the country’s journey was full of twists and turns, “we are currently seeing clear policies, unity among us and strong discipline”.
“This enables us to achieve successes that may have previously seemed difficult,” he added.
