On December 1, foreign media reported that Malaysian automaker Perodua unveiled its inaugural electric vehicle, the QV-E, on Monday. It adopted a sales strategy that decouples the vehicle from the battery, aiming to slash upfront costs and appeal to middle - income consumers.

In a statement, Perodua disclosed that the base price of the QV-E model, excluding battery leasing expenses, stands at 80,000 ringgit (roughly $19,350). This vehicle is outfitted with a lithium iron phosphate battery, enabling a driving range of up to 445 kilometers. Under the 'Battery-as-a-Service' model, the battery will be leased to customers.

Perodua's CEO, Zainal Abidin Ahmad, remarked that this model is designed to alleviate consumer anxieties regarding electric vehicles. By offering a lifetime battery guarantee, it provides customers with enhanced peace of mind.

Data indicates that Malaysia's electric vehicle market is experiencing robust growth. In the first 10 months of 2025, vehicle registrations hit 40,679 units, a figure that significantly outstrips the 28,048 units registered throughout 2024.

The Malaysian government has set an ambitious target: by 2030, electric vehicles should constitute 15% of total vehicle sales. This move is a crucial step towards realizing the nation's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.