IT will be some time before we'll see a mass market ready electric vehicle (EV) from Perodua. But until then at least we can get an idea where the automaker is heading from here on out.
The company gave the media a glimpse at what it was working on behind the scenes during the media day of the Malaysia Autoshow 2023 at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).
Named the Electric Motion Online or EM-O for short, the concept car is for now the closest thing we'll get out of the company's attempt at electrification.
The B-segment hatchback EV is powered by a 50kWh capacity lithium ion battery that delivers a range of 300km to 350km.
It has a maximum speed of 160kph and sprint from 0-100kph in 10 seconds with its 95PS and 121Nm maximum torque performance.
Charging capacity is at 300kW with a 100 per cent charge in 7 hours and 30 minutes - 20 minutes through the 300kW ultra fast charging though up to only 80 per cent.
Going with a B-segment hatchback car body type as oppose to the usual sports utility vehicle SUV market demand was said to be a stretegic decision made by Perodua given the company's familiarity with the segment.
EM-O was build as a "one car fit, all purpose" EV SUV with a sporty design signature inside out to appeal to all Malaysians especially with the B40 household range in mind.
The goal is to give Malaysians the opportunity to experience what is like to drive an EV and that it isn't too dissimiliar from driving a normal internal combustion engine (ICE) car.
Other than that little else is known about the concept car. Perodua did not disclose of its potential partnerships though they did assure us in attendance of the concept cars' unveiling that involvement from locals is a priority.
The life-size model of the EM-O will either be ready at the end of this year or early 2024.
No time frame was also given as to when will the car actually be ready, though it was hinted that it would be by the time of the nation's deadline to go carbon neutral.