KUALA LUMPUR: Eclimo Sdn Bhd, the maker of Malaysia's first electric motorcycle, has targeted to sell 1,000 units of electric motorcycle this year backed by strong demand expected from the e-commerce industry.
Executive director Datuk Dennis Chuah said the e-commerce industry, for their last-mile deliveries, is opting for electric motorcycles, which save operational costs in the long run and help the environment.
He said Malaysia's e-commerce industry is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of U$2.53 billion by 2022, according to the International Trade Administration data.
"With this, we expected to sell 1,000 units of electric motorcycle this year. However, if the demand is getting better, we are hoping to sell up to 2,000 units," he told the New Straits Times in an interview.
Chuah said electric motorcycles enable e-commerce companies to reduce vehicle running costs by half compared to conventional vehicles.
In addition, electric motorcycles reduce carbon tailpipe emissions by 7.98 kg per 100 kilometres (km), he said.
"We have a formula whereby, one day if you ride 100km, you will be able to save 7.98kg of carbon dioxide. Imagine for one whole year, and you're saving two tonnes of carbon dioxide.
"If the company can achieve a sale of 1,000 units, we will be able to save a thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide," he said.
On expansion, Chuah said Eclimo plans to expand its assembly area and production floor for the Penang factory and its manpower to cater to the market demand.
He said the company would expand its production capacity to reach 300 units per month from 100 units a month.
"We also would like to expand our footprint to other ASEAN countries this year.
"Thailand is the focus. I cannot go to all the countries I want right now. We need to do so according to our means," he said.
Moving forward, Chuah said EVs are elevating the automotive market and are set to increase significantly over the next decade as more countries implement measures to reduce carbon emissions.
Realising the full potential of EVs to reduce net emissions, he said Malaysia's government is introducing supportive policies and initiatives to fast-forward the adoption of EVs in Malaysia.
"As an EV manufacturer, we are hoping that electricity can be cheaper for the use of EV.
"The government needs to consider following other country's steps like Taiwan and India. These countries are providing cash incentives as high as RM2,500 to EV buyers," he added.