Perodua has pulled the covers off the latest iteration of its Electric Motion Online (EMO) EV concept at the Malaysia Autoshow 2025 (MAS 2025), held at MAEPS Serdang. This is the third showing in the series following the miniature eMO-II from KLIMS last year, and it’s shaping up to be the last stop before the brand’s first-ever EV heads into production.
Although the EMO concept at MAS 2025 was shown in dark black colour and in a half-cut form, there were some design elements that can be seen including the flush-mounted front door handles and rear handles tucked by the windows in HR-V like fashion. Full-width LED light bars finish off the aggressive look at both ends.
Moreover, it can be seen that the current version of the EMO has taken shape into a four door fastback compared to the five door hatchback that was shown at KLIMS 2024. The design changes was also detected when spy shots of the EV was seen last week while it was undergoing some testing on the road.
Inside, the EMO gets realistic cabin compared to the previous concept’s futuristic dashboard. It also includes a high centre console, digital instrument cluster, soft-touch materials, and a rotary gear selector. It is expected that the EV comes with a 360-degree camera and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, close-up photography for visitors is off-limits.
Other than the the design changes, some key information was also revealed during the event by the President and CEO of Perodua, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad. One of the information that was shared was the fact that the EV is reaching 90-percent into development which means, the automaker will be able to launch the EV by the end of this year as stated.
Moreover, to make sure that the EMO is priced below RM100,000, Perodua will be introducing a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model—the first in Malaysia. Instead of owning the battery, buyers can lease it for a minimal monthly fee. The ‘rental’ fee is the minimum, and based on surveys by Perodua, many are in favour of this method, according to Zainal.
This strategy is also the national automaker’s way of addressing the issue of electric vehicle (EV) resale value. At present, EVs tend to depreciate more rapidly than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, primarily due to the high cost of battery replacement.
To counter this, customers have the option to purchase the EMO’s battery outright, which includes a standard eight-year warranty. Additionally, Zainal noted that if necessary, the EMO’s battery can be swapped in just 30 minutes.
Pre-production of the EMO will begin in September at Perodua’s new BEV facility in Sg Choh, where the company will produce around 500 units per month initially. The EV will also be the first Perodua model to use hot press-formed steel, with Zainal also confirming the platform is Perodua’s own IP, with no involvement from Daihatsu.
