Proton Electric Car in Prototype Stage

KUALA LUMPUR: The “Go Green and Keep Clean” people will surely appreciate the Malaysian automobile giant, Proton Holding Berhad who are putting efforts in taking their idea of an electric car to a prototype and then to a product that millions of people will use. It has been confirmed that the car is struggling in its prototype stage. When asked about the car’s progress, the deputy energy, green technology and water minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid replied that “the prototype is currently undergoing several intensive quality and safety tests.”

“The tests also take into account the needs of customers, and the electric car can be produced at a reasonable price. The vehicle’s performance also meets international standards. The government fully supports the national car company’s efforts to develop an electric car and so the close collaboration between government, manufacturers, utility suppliers and other stakeholders is needed to promote the usage of electric cars, thus making Malaysia an electric car production hub in ASEAN,” Mahdzir said.

The above mentioned car will be the sibling of the Proton Iriz EV (electric vehicle) which has got a share from the South Korea's LG Electronics. The car can cover a distance of 240 km on one charge, defeating the Nissan's Leaf's NEDC which crosses 195 km. Malaysia Automotive Institute  (MAI) CEO Madani Sahari has heretofore said that the Proton EV could come with price figure of under RM 100k when it will be launched in late 2016 or early 2017.

China's Beijing Automotive Group is another company to join the league of producing electric cars and is about to begin its operations at the Gurun, Kedah plant in July 2016. Is Malaysia on its way to become ASEAN EV hub? Time will surely tell.