Perodua QV-E Debuts as Malaysia’s First Homegrown EV—But the Battery Comes on a 9-Year Lease

Malaysia has entered the electric vehicle market with its first domestically developed model, the Perodua QV-E, a subcompact electric crossover priced from just 80,000 ringgit (€16,600 / $19,400). The low entry price makes it one of the most affordable EVs in the region, but there is an important caveat: buyers do not own the battery.

Instead, the QV-E uses a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model that significantly reduces the upfront cost but requires a nine-year monthly battery lease.

Battery Leasing: How It Works

The QV-E’s price excludes the 52.5 kWh CATL battery pack. Owners must sign a contract requiring a payment of:

• 275 ringgit (€57 / $67) per month

• Over 9 years → ~€6,177 / $7,200 total

Brands like Nio, VinFast, and Renault have used similar models to keep EVs affordable by separating the battery — the most expensive component — from the vehicle purchase.

Perodua CEO Zainal Abidin Ahmad says the subscription model ensures a lifetime battery guarantee, reducing long-term owner anxiety about degradation or replacement costs.

Powertrain and Performance

The Perodua QV-E uses a single front-mounted electric motor delivering:

• 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS)

• 285 Nm (210 lb-ft)

• 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds

For a subcompact crossover, these numbers provide strong acceleration for city and highway driving.

Range and Battery Specs

The CATL-supplied 52.5 kWh LFP battery offers:

• 445 km (276 miles) NEDC range

However, the NEDC cycle is notoriously optimistic. On the EPA cycle, the estimated range would be closer to:

• ~327 km (203 miles)

The QV-E supports vehicle-to-load (V2L), allowing the car to power laptops, tools, camping equipment, or emergency devices—useful for outdoor activities and power outages.

Engineering, Production, and Scaling

Perodua invested nearly €171 million into the QV-E program and partnered with Magna Steyr for engineering. Production will take place in Malaysia with:

• Initial output: 500 units/month

• By Q3 2026: ramp up to 3,000 units/month

The company also aims for:

• 50% local parts content by 2026

• 70% by 2030

This slow start allows Perodua to manage quality control before scaling — a lesson learned from younger EV companies like VinFast.

A Major Step for Malaysia’s EV Market

Malaysia plans for 15% of new car sales to be electric by 2030, and the QV-E marks a crucial milestone. The competitive price makes EV ownership accessible to more buyers — provided they’re comfortable leasing the battery for nine years.

For consumers, the decision is simple:
✓ Low upfront price
✗ Long-term monthly battery cost

Still, the QV-E represents a significant advancement for Malaysia’s automotive industry and a promising start for a locally built EV.