Three years after previous prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob suggested it, Perodua and Tenaga Nasional (TNB) yesterday signed a landmark agreement to drive EV adoption in Malaysia through strengthening charging infrastructure, integrating renewable energy solutions and making EVs more accessible and affordable for Malaysians, reports the New Straits Times.
Under the agreement, TNB Electron EV charging stations will be installed at selected Perodua outlets and solar panel infrastructure will be developed at Perodua’s premises. The two firms will also jointly explore ways to improve renewable energy integration into Perodua’s ecosystem (suppliers and dealers included) and facilitate Perodua’s Malaysia Renewable Energy Certificate (mREC) adoption towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“With EV adoption gaining momentum, the partnership will bridge the gap between infrastructure readiness and consumer confidence, ensuring a seamless shift to sustainable mobility. As part of this partnership, TNB and Perodua will collaborate on various energy-related solutions,” TNB said, adding that it is also expanding its charging network across strategic locations like shopping malls, highways, petrol stations, and commercial and residential hubs.
“The adoption of EVs is no longer a distant goal; it is happening now. TNB is committed to ensuring that EV users have access to a robust and reliable charging network. Our collaboration with Perodua will accelerate these efforts by integrating charging solutions into their extensive automotive network,” TNB president and CEO Datuk Ir Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan said.
He added that Malaysia’s largest car manufacturer is uniquely positioned to drive mass EV adoption, with the scale, expertise and market reach to make EVs more affordable for everyday consumers.
“As leading Malaysian companies, Perodua and TNB share the goal of promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. This collaboration complements our EV journey by ensuring accessibility, affordability, and convenience for Malaysians,” said Perodua president and CEO Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
Perodua’s other recently-inked partnerships are with UTM, TM, Petronas, Gentari and Malaysia Rail Link, seemingly in preparation for its production EV, which is set to launch in December and which was previewed by the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) 2024’s eMO-II Concept.
Developed in-house in Rawang as there’s no suitable Daihatsu donor car, the EV could have around 400 km of range and cost about RM80,000 without the battery, which could be leased – dive deep here.
Last year, Perodua sold a record 358,102 vehicles – 8.4% more than its previous 330,325-unit record, which was achieved just the year before. As of January 2025, Perodua is 140% ahead of second-placed Proton as far as the road transport department’s (JPJ) registration numbers are concerned.
Perodua eMO-II Concept at KLIMS 2024
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