Perodua’s highly anticipated first-ever electric vehicle, confirmed to be named the QV-E, is set for a groundbreaking launch by the Prime Minister at the close of this month with strong speculation pointing towards a December 1st debut. The teaser video, which briefly showed the “QV-E” number plate, is the final flicker before the lights go up on this truly homegrown effort. Perodua has proudly positioned the QV-E as a national agenda, developing the car’s design and platform completely in-house, retaining all intellectual property.

While key components like the electric motor and the CATL-supplied 52.5 kWh LFP battery will initially be imported, the company has an admirable goal of achieving 50% local content by mid-2026, building a robust domestic EV ecosystem and creating local jobs and talent. The resulting performance targets are impressive for its segment, promising a real-world range of 400 to 410 km—comfortably rivaling the imported eMas 7—and a quick 0-100 km/h sprint of six to seven seconds.

While its estimated starting price of around RM80,000 is expected to be slightly higher than the Proton eMas 5’s rebate-inclusive pricing, the QV-E sets itself apart with innovative ownership models. Crucially, Perodua is introducing a Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) scheme, an industry-first for a non-premium EV brand in Malaysia, which directly tackles the steep depreciation concerns plaguing EV buyers. Adding to this novel approach is a groundbreaking battery leasing scheme. This ownership flexibility, coupled with the strong ‘100% Malaysian EV’ narrative seen as a subtle jab at Proton’s rebadged Geely eMAS models is its true market weapon.

Industry watchers, including Drivin On, believe the QV-E is poised to fundamentally shake up the local EV landscape, leveraging on deep-seated national pride to sway purchasing interest. The prospect of a truly local, fully-developed EV, backed by Perodua’s reputation for affordability and reliability, is expected to give potential buyers pause, potentially even impacting the sales momentum of Proton’s eMas 5 and eMas 7 models. The QV-E’s complete digital experience is powered by the recently-launched P-Circle super-app, which integrates an e-wallet, lifestyle features, and remote vehicle control for the EV. Complementing this is a novel home wallbox charger that features ambient lighting, a touchscreen, and even a built-in CCTV camera for security and remote monitoring via the app.

In essence, the choice for consumers now presents a stark difference: Proton offers an all-in, upfront ownership model with the imported-then-assembled eMas line, while Perodua is introducing a subscription-based EV ecosystem for the QV-E that separates the battery from the car’s purchase price via its battery leasing scheme, potentially making the monthly payments or initial cost more accessible and significantly lowering the risk of battery replacement costs in the future. The QV-E is not just a car launch; it’s the calculated beginning of a truly Malaysian EV future.