Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service explained: What it is, How it works, and its key benefits

Perodua has finally entered the electric vehicle arena with the launch of the QV-E earlier this month, competitively priced at RM 80,000. While the EV is equipped with all creature comforts one would expect from a modern electric car, it’s the 'Battery as a Service' model that has captured the most attention.

Yes, that's right! Perodua introduced the QE-V with a battery leasing concept called 'Battery as a Service.’ It means the EV’s RM 80k sticker price does not include the cost of the battery, and the need to lease it separately, just like a subscription plan.

In today’s story, we are going to discuss Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model in detail, helping prospective EV buyers to make a well-informed decision.  

What is Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model?

Electric cars are touted as cleaner, quieter and cheaper modes of transport compared to the conventional ICE-powered cars. But one thing that makes EV ownership worrisome is the battery. EVs are powered by expensive batteries that tend to lose their capacity over time, which leads to reduced driving range, higher charging frequency, expensive replacement cost or dropped resale value. 

This is where the Battery-as-a-Service model comes in. First of its kind in Malaysia, it makes EV ownership simpler and less stressful with a mandatory 9-year contract at RM 275 monthly fee (excluding the 8% sales and service tax). 

How does Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model work?

Here’s a step-by-step, detailed explanation of how Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model works - 

Buy the Perodua QV-E	The buyer purchases the EV’s body (including chassis, motor, wheels, tech features) by paying an upfront cost of RM 80,000. One can also use vehicle financing to pay for the vehicle’s body.
Enroll in BaaS	Get enrolled for the Battery-as-a-Service programme, under which the battery is leased from Perodua. The mandatory lease period is 9 years and the monthly subscription fee is as follows -  Without 8% SST - RM 275 With 8% SST - RM 297
Advance payment at delivery	Buyers also need to pay 3 months’ battery fees (RM 825 without SST) in advance upon signing the lease agreement. This amount will be used to settle any outstanding payment or cover the final 3 months of lease. Total upfront lease amount to pay - RM 275 + RM 825 = RM 1100 (without SST)
Start driving	Start driving your new eco-friendly ride, using the leased battery.
Ongoing subscription	Continue to pay the monthly battery fees. Payment must be made on or before 5th day of every month.  Note, if you skip two consecutive payments, the battery will be disabled by Perodua remotely.
Battery’s State of Health (SoH) monitoring	The health and performance of the battery is guaranteed by Perodua. If the battery’s State of Health drops below a certain threshold (70%), the automaker will replace it free of cost during the lease period.
Battery servicing	All the battery issues, repairs, or servicing will be handled by Perodua (including roadside assistance for battery-related problems)
Selling the car	Upon selling the EV, the battery lease will be transferred to the new owner, who can either continue the existing lease agreement or sign a new one with Perodua. Notably, the QV-E will only be sold through Perodua’s certified pre-owned vehicle service.
Battery disposal	Perodua will manage the safe disposal or recycling of the battery when it reaches end-of-life, ensuring environmental safety.

Key benefits of Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model

• Lower cost of ownership: Under the Battery-as-a-Service model, the battery cost is not included in the vehicle’s initial purchase price, which makes it affordable and attractive to first-time buyers. 
• Battery performance guaranteed: EV owners do not need to worry about the battery’s health and decreasing efficiency over time, as the automaker guarantees the battery's performance. If the battery health drops below 70%, Perodua will replace it free of charge.
• Hassle-free ownership: The battery’s monthly fee covers the battery’s repair, replacement and servicing, giving the owners a smooth, hassle-free ownership experience.
• Protect the planet: Perodua will manage the safe disposal and recycling of batteries at the end of their life, contributing to a sustainable EV ecosystem by reducing environmental hazards from battery dumping.
• Better resale value: The BaaS model also ensures better resale value of the EV with guaranteed SoH.

Things to keep in mind while signing the battery lease agreement  

• The battery will be leased under a mandatory 9-year contract.
• A one-time cash payment for the battery is not allowed.
• The ownership of the battery will always be held by Perodua; you will only be paying to use it. 
• If you skip any two payments consecutively, the battery will be disabled by Peodua.
• Private resale or selling the EV outside Perodua’s certified pre-owned vehicle program is not allowed.
• The commercial use of EV (such as ride-hailing or delivery services) are restricted under the leasing agreement. 
• The battery comes equipped with a GPS tracker (powered independently), which means Perodua can detect if the battery has been removed, tampered with or left idle for a long period. When triggered, Perodua can dispatch a dedicated Battery Rescue team to secure and recover it. 

In a nutshell, Perodua QV-E’s Battery-as-a-Service model is a solution towards reducing the EV owner's anxiety when owning a battery electric vehicle. It lowers the entry price, guarantees battery health and ensures sustainable disposal.

Also Read: Perodua and Maybank Islamic Introduce Malaysia’s first Shariah-Compliant car agility financing plan