Proton's PRO-NET leads ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 with e.MAS 7 EV

KUALA LUMPUR:  Proton's electric vehicle arm, Proton New Energy Technology (PRO-NET), has stepped forward as the main sponsor for the upcoming ASEAN Unity Drive 2025, a regional event focused on boosting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across ASEAN countries.

The Proton e.MAS 7, Malaysia's first national electric vehicle, will spearhead the journey, joined by the familiar Proton X50 and X70 SUVs, covering nine ASEAN nations.

Also Read:  First Impressions: Proton eMAS 7 Prime – Real world test drive to Melaka

The official kickoff for the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 was held last week on March 20, 2025, at Menara MITI in Kuala Lumpur.

Key figures present included YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid, Chairman of MARii, En Azrul Reza Aziz, CEO of MARii, PROTON Chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, and PROTON Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah.

Aligned closely with Malaysia’s national EV objectives, PRO-NET's participation highlights strengthened cooperation with important partners such as MITI and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics, and IoT Institute (MARii), emphasizing its growing role in driving EV adoption within ASEAN.

“Being part of the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 is a proud milestone for PRO-NET as we lead the transition to electric mobility,” said Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET. "Following the success of the e.MAS 7 Tour, this event provides an ideal opportunity for the e.MAS 7 to showcase its capabilities on an international stage. Through our collaboration with MARii and support for the ASEAN Chairmanship, PRO-NET reaffirms its commitment to sustainable mobility."

Zhang also pointed out, “The Proton e.MAS 7 embodies our vision for sustainable, reliable, and practical green mobility, and will take the lead on this journey across ASEAN. Our role as the official car for the ASEAN Chairmanship, as acknowledged by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also underscores our key position in the region’s EV transition.”

Scheduled from April 16 to May 8, 2025, the ASEAN Unity Drive will follow two specific routes:

• North Route: Starts from Hanoi (Vietnam), then heads to Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Bangkok (Thailand), Georgetown in Penang, and concludes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• South Route: Begins in Manila (Philippines), moves to Sabah (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Sarawak (Malaysia), Jakarta (Indonesia), then Singapore, and finally wraps up in Kuala Lumpur.

The event will allow PRO-NET to highlight the e.MAS 7's practicality and sustainability, demonstrating its real-world capabilities including driving range, efficiency, and adaptability across diverse terrains.

The Proton eMAS 7 offers two variants with distinct driving ranges according to WLTP standards: the Prime delivers up to 345 km, while the Premium stretches further, reaching up to 410 km.

This extended range in the Premium variant is made possible by its larger battery pack of 60.2 kWh, compared to the Prime variant's 49.5 kWh capacity.

Both variants come equipped with an identical front-mounted '12-in-1 Electric Drive System', producing 160 kW (218 PS) and 320 Nm of torque.

Thanks to this setup, the electric SUV accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds, and it can reach a maximum speed of 175 km/h.

Through this sponsorship, PRO-NET continues to champion the shift toward electric vehicles, firmly establishing itself as a leading force in ASEAN’s move to sustainable transportation.

Also Read: Proton e.MAS 7 Prime sets record with Malaysia’s first live-streamed EV journey