KUALA LUMPUR: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) aims to produce 500 units per month of its electric vehicle (EV) called eMO-II starting next year. Its president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad told the media the EV model is expected to be priced between RM50,000 and RM90,000 after revealing the eMO-II EV prototype at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 (KLIMS 2024) here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perodua is committed to establishing an EV charging station every 40 to 50 kilometres, with options for fixed permanent chargers or mobile chargers still under study. The company also aims to maintain the second-hand value of the eMO-II, ensuring it remains a viable option for the Malaysian market in terms of resale.

Zainal Abidin emphasized Perodua’s goal to produce the cheapest EV in Malaysia, citing the new model’s competitive price range as a significant factor. He indicated that Perodua’s pricing strategy would potentially make their EV the most
affordable in the market by the first quarter of 2025, as other companies might not match their low prices without compromising on other aspects.

Previously, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) expressed its support for Perodua’s initiative to produce Malaysia’s first EV priced under RM100,000. MITI’s minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, conveyed optimism that Perodua would achieve its production target by the end of 2025.

The development of the Perodua EV project was entirely undertaken by the company’s research and development team in 2023. Zainal Abidin noted that the eMO-II prototype has seen enhancements in styling and features from its predecessor, marking a significant step forward in Perodua’s EV ambitions. He assured that additional features and improvements would be incorporated into the final product, which will be introduced in the near future.