Perodua appears to be on track to launch its first EV model within 2025.

A post by Tengku Zafrul, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry on X, reiterates that the project to produce Malaysia’s first affordable EV is on track following the latest round of discussions with Perodua.

The Minister’s post read, " An affordable EV from Perodua by the end of next year?"

Zafrul added “When it comes to EVs, many complain about their high prices. Therefore, Perodua was chosen as the leader in producing affordable local EVs under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030).”

“Yesterday, I held discussions with Perodua to learn more about the development of their EV project and how the Government can assist in making the project successful for the well-being of the people and the economy of the country,” he added.

EV mampu milik dari Perodua hujung tahun depan?

Bila bercerita tentang EV, ramai yang mengadu harganya terlalu tinggi. Oleh itu, Perodua telah dipilih sebagai peneraju pengeluaran EV mampu milik tempatan di bawah Pelan Induk Perindustrian Baharu 2030 (NIMP2030).

Semalam saya… pic.twitter.com/gixljxJO5e

— Tengku Zafrul 🇲🇾 (@tzafrul_aziz) March 26, 2024

The project is said to involve Perodua and an international automotive company, likely Daihatsu, Perodua’s technical partner and shareholder.

Of course, the launch timeline of the EV project by the end of 2025 aligns well with the introduction of the fourth-generation Myvi (believed to be in 2025), reportedly codenamed D01D as per earlier reports. Thus, it isn’t too far-fetched to assume we may have a new ‘electrified-King’ of the roads next year.

Also read: A sub-RM 100k Perodua Myvi EV for Malaysia? MITI confirms P2 EV is coming in 2025

However, what we currently know, doesn’t indicate whether the new model will be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid.

At the Malaysia Autoshow 2023, Perodua showcased a scale model of a BEV concept called the Perodua eM-O.

The compact car could preview the next-generation Myvi which is also rumoured to be utilising the Daihatsu New Generation Architecture (DNGA) platform.

It is also speculated that the next-gen Myvi could be shared with the next-gen Toyota Yaris. It’s a plausible speculation given that the outgoing Yaris is still soldiering on while its sedan relative the Vios is in an all-new generation. However, there is no DNGA-based BEV model thus far.

As per specifications of the eM-O concept, it is powered by a front-axle motor that produces 95 PS and 121 Nm – roughly the same output as the naturally aspirated 1.3-litre 1NR-VE 4-cylinder engine in the Myvi and Bezza.

The concept is also claimed to be juiced by a 50-kWh lithium-ion battery with a range of between 300-350 km. The most impressive spec would be the dual 400 V/800 V electrical architecture that enables a max charging capacity of 300 kW, higher than the 270 kW architecture found in the Porsche Taycan.

Perodua claims that AC charging to 100 percent takes 7.5 hrs while ultra-fast DC charging to 80 percent takes 20 minutes.

Since the government restricts imported EVs to be priced below RM 100,000, Could Perodua’s EV project become Malaysia’s first sub-RM 100k BEV?