This new subcompact crossover represents the company’s first venture into zero-emission mobility and introduces an unusual approach to pricing: the battery—arguably the heart of any electric vehicle—is available only through a subscription plan. While this reduces the car’s official purchase price, the savings are largely symbolic because the vehicle cannot operate without the very component customers are required to lease. Even so, the QV-E earns a remarkable achievement as Malaysia’s first electric car developed entirely on home soil. Unlike Proton’s e.MAS 5 and e.MAS 7, which are essentially rebranded Geely products, Perodua has committed to engineering a fully original EV. Work began in 2023, and the company has reportedly poured around $194 million into research, prototyping, and development.
The project’s journey began with a scale representation of the EMO (Electric Motion Online) concept unveiled in May 2023. This was followed by the appearance of the EMO-I hatchback test mule a year later, then the EMO-II crossover concept that debuted in December 2024. By mid-2025, Perodua had progressed enough to showcase a drivable prototype, offering the public its most accurate preview of the production-ready QV-E.
Measuring 4,170 mm in overall length and supported by a wheelbase of 2,680 mm, the QV-E combines tidy proportions with a sport-oriented posture. The front fascia features split LED headlamps, a sculpted hood, and pronounced fenders that give it a confident road presence. Its side profile shows hints of the previous Toyota C-HR and the current Nissan Juke, particularly in the rising windowline and the chunky body contours. Flush-fitting door handles are used up front, while the rear handles are integrated into the C-pillars for a cleaner appearance. At the rear, the sloping roof merges into a full-width LED light bar and a built-in diffuser. The crossover sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and is currently sold in just two paint colors: Ice Blue and Caviar Gray.
Inside, the cabin favors practicality over extravagance. The dashboard layout is straightforward, dominated by dual 10.25-inch displays—one for infotainment and one serving as the instrument cluster. A floating center console, subtle ambient lighting, and metallic-effect trim help lift the ambience, but the QV-E still leans more toward budget-conscious design than futuristic flair. Safety is comprehensive, including six airbags and a complete advanced driver-assistance suite.
Underpinning the QV-E is a modular platform developed with guidance from Magna Steyr. Its single front-mounted electric motor generates 201 hp and 285 Nm of torque, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint of 7.5 seconds. Energy is stored in a 52.5-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery sourced from CATL, which claims up to 445 km of driving range under the notably optimistic NEDC cycle. However, this crucial battery pack is not part of the base price—buyers must commit to a nine-year lease costing around $67 per month.
The vehicle itself starts at approximately $19,400. Production will take place in Malaysia, beginning with about 500 units per month and ramping up to 3,000 monthly by the third quarter of 2026. According to Bloomberg, Perodua intends to achieve 50 percent local parts sourcing by early 2026, with a rise to 70 percent by 2030. All of this comes as Malaysia continues building momentum in electric vehicle adoption, with government targets aiming for EVs to account for 15 percent of new car sales by the end of the decade.