The most expensive part of an electric car is usually the battery, and it is also the biggest concern for buyers. However, Perodua plans to address this issue with its first electric vehicle (EV), expected to launch in Q4 this year, by offering a battery leasing option.

Perodua’s president and CEO, Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, shared that their EV could be priced around RM80,000, but without the battery. Instead, the battery will be leased separately, making Perodua the first brand in Malaysia to offer battery leasing. “The rental fee will be affordable, and our surveys show that many buyers prefer this option,” he said in a media event last week, as reported by Harian Metro. He also explained that this method helps lower the car’s price and ensures that owners always have a well-maintained battery.



One big concern for EV buyers is resale value (RV). Unlike petrol cars, EVs lose value faster, mainly because buyers worry about battery degradation and the high cost of battery replacement. But with battery leasing, this issue disappears—buyers don’t own the battery, so they don’t have to worry about its condition or replacement cost.

Another benefit of this system is that Perodua will be responsible for recycling old batteries, an important but rarely discussed part of EV ownership. This idea came from Perodua’s Ativa Hybrid subscription project in 2022, which gave them insight into battery management. In Malaysia, only BMW has talked about battery recycling so far.

Perodua’s EV is being developed in-house, with support from local and international suppliers. The battery will come from CATL, one of the world’s top EV battery manufacturers.

Perodua’s battery leasing model could make EVs more affordable and sustainable in Malaysia. By lowering costs, addressing resale concerns, and ensuring battery recycling, it sets a new standard for the local EV market. As the launch nears, its impact will be closely watched.