EV in Malaysia for under RM 100k? Proton confirms plans for hybrids and EVs

Chief Executive Officer of Proton Edar Sdn Bhd (PESB), Roslan Abdullah, told StarBizWeek that Proton has plans to introduce hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and electric vehicles (EV).

Roslan applauds the tax incentives for EVs that was announced during Budget 2022. “Proton has a planned roadmap towards introducing hybrid, plug-in hybrid vehicles and EVs – so perhaps this development can help to push our plans forward,” said Roslan.

In China, Geely has just introduced the PHEV version of the facelifted 2021 Geely Binyue (Proton X50’s twin) called the Binyue 1.5T ePro. It’s powered by an electrified 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a combined output of 258 PS and 415 Nm. Perhaps this could become the basis for a Proton X50 PHEV in Malaysia.

Also read: 2021 Geely Binyue PHEV debuts in China, hints at potential X50 PHEV?

Geely also has PHEV versions of the Jiaji MPV, Borui GE sedan, and Xingyue SUV. As for EVs, there’s Zeekr, which is Geely's premium EV brand and said to be the technical cousin of Lynk & Co.

Also read: Geely's premium EV, the Zeekr 001 debuts in China, around RM177k

Speaking of Lynk & Co, Geely has confirmed its entry to Malaysia by 2025, tying in to the announcement that Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant will be utilized as their right-hand drive production hub. As of now, all Lynk & Co models are left-hand drive only.

Also read: Geely confirms Lynk & Co to launch in Malaysia by 2025. Watch out Honda, Toyota

Meanwhile, Geely’s other EV sub-brand that is billed as affordable EVs for the masses, Geometry, has three EV models at the moment – Geometry A, Geometry C, and Geometry EX3. All of which are based on Geely’s combustion-engine models.

Its most affordable EV, the Geometry EX3, is priced at CNY 59,700 (around RM 39k).

Also read: Behold the Geometry EX3 Kungfu Cow, why did Geely's sub-brand name their new EV a cow?

Back home, Roslan also told StarBizWeek that the EV sector has “A long way to go, as the building of a charging infrastructure to help support larger numbers of EVs is a considerable obstacle that needs to be overcome.”

Also read: ACO Group and EV Connection to roll out 100 DC fast chargers in Malaysia within 5 years