Perodua has confirmed that its first electric vehicle (EV) will officially launch this year, with a starting price of around RM80,000—positioning it as one of the most affordable EVs in Malaysia.

In a recent media briefing, Perodua’s CEO revealed that the EV’s battery will not be included in the purchase price. Instead, customers will need to rent the battery separately through a leasing or subscription model. However, Perodua has not yet disclosed the rental pricing or whether it will come bundled with charging services.

The company assures that the subscription cost will be minimal, and this approach ensures that users always have access to a well-maintained battery that can be replaced if needed. This also helps with battery recycling efforts and makes it easier for owners to sell the vehicle without battery degradation concerns.

With this unique battery leasing model, it will be interesting to see how Perodua’s first EV competes in the market. More details are expected soon, including how the battery rental system will work in practice.