Perodua to launch Malaysia’s most affordable EV this year
Perodua will launch Malaysia’s cheapest battery-electric vehicle by December, a move analysts say could make it the country’s top-selling EV.
Source: Free Malaysia Today · July 21, 2026 at 8:31 AM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 21 JULY 2026 —
Perodua will launch Malaysia’s cheapest battery-electric vehicle by December, a move analysts say could make it the country’s top-selling EV.
Market Impact
The national carmaker has spent the past two years integrating off-the-shelf electric motors, high-voltage battery packs and electrical control systems to meet the government’s EV mandate, according to industry sources. Daihatsu, Perodua’s technical partner and minority shareholder, permitted the project because it lacked EV technology of its own.
The new EV will hit showrooms in the fourth quarter, aligning with the government’s push to accelerate EV adoption under the upcoming National Automotive Policy refresh. The council of eminent persons advising on the policy is due to deliver its recommendations in August, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz told reporters last week.
Industry watchers expect the new EV to outsell models from BYD, GWM and SAIC-MG by leveraging Perodua’s existing dealership network and the Myvi’s reputation as Malaysia’s best-selling car for more than a decade. Perodua sold 230,000 units in 2023, roughly one in every three new cars registered in Malaysia.
The launch coincides with a new excise duty on locally assembled vehicles due from January, which will add RM500 to entry-level Perodua models and up to RM30,000 for entry-level premium German cars based on open-market value. The duty narrows the price gap between locally assembled and completely built-up imports, potentially pushing some premium marques to abandon local assembly and import from Thailand instead.
Analysts say Perodua’s EV could help offset the duty’s impact on the national car’s affordability and maintain its market share. “If the new EV can replicate the Myvi’s price point and availability, it will become the default choice for first-time buyers and cost-conscious families,” said an automotive analyst at MIDF Research.
The Council of Eminent Persons on the Automotive Industry is also reviewing incentives to attract global EV makers. Last year’s menu-driven incentives replaced opaque, customised packages but were criticised for being less attractive than those offered to low-volume manufacturers. Industry participants say Malaysia must sharpen its pitch to lure Chinese EV makers that have not yet committed to Thailand or Indonesia.
Beyond manufacturing, Malaysia can position itself as an EV supply-chain hub by converting advanced driver-assistance systems from left-hand to right-hand drive—a process far more complex than simply relocating the steering wheel, according to Chinese industry sources. The country’s rare-earth resources also offer a pathway to produce super-magnets and electric motors, strengthening its role in the regional EV supply chain.
The government is considering an end-of-life vehicle scheme or cash-for-clunkers programme to meet Paris Agreement commitments and accelerate the energy transition. Such a policy would encourage owners to replace older, less efficient cars with newer, greener models and help sustain demand for Perodua’s EV once it reaches the market.