Malaysian carmaker Proton has officially launched its first all-electric model, the e.MAS 7 mid-size SUV, which is also the first domestically produced electric car in Malaysia. The model is based on the Galaxy E5 model of Chinese carmaker Geely Automobile.
The Prime version of the Proton e.MAS 7 mid-size SUV is equipped with a 49.52 kWh AEGIS Short Blade Battery, which can travel up to 345 kilometers on a single charge. The price of this model (excluding insurance) is 105,800 ringgit (“Ringgit” is also translated as “Ringgit”), (about US$23,835), and only the first 3,000 consumers can enjoy this preferential price.
The Premium version of the Proton e.MAS 7 mid-size SUV is equipped with a 60.22 kWh AEGIS Short Blade Battery, which can travel up to 410 kilometers. The model is priced at RM119,800 (US$26,930) excluding insurance, and only the first 3,000 consumers can enjoy this preferential price. Both the Prime and Premium versions of the Proton e.MAS 7 mid-size SUV are equipped with a 218-horsepower (160-kilowatt) front electric motor and a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
Proton pointed out that e.MAS is an acronym for “Malaysia Electrification” and all of the company’s future electric vehicles will be included in the e.MAS brand. Proton said that so far, the company has designated 17 dealers in Malaysia to sell the Proton e.MAS 7 mid-size electric SUV series and plans to have 30 dealers by 2025.
“The launch of the e.MAS brand and logo by Proton represents an important step forward in the company’s electrification journey as it builds on its knowledge base in electric vehicles to ensure that the company has a thorough understanding of products, technologies and user concerns before electric vehicle sales begin,” said Dr. Li Chunrong, CEO of Proton, in a statement.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the launch of the Proton e.MAS 7 mid-size SUV that he hopes will be produced in Malaysia in the future and that more local companies will be involved in the production of electric vehicles. Malaysia hopes that electric and hybrid vehicles will account for 20% of the Malaysian new car market by 2030. Notably, Malaysia reported a 112% year-on-year increase in pure electric vehicle sales in the first half of this year.
Earlier this year, Proton opened its new China R&D center at the Geely Automobile Research Institute in Hangzhou Bay, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, which aims to strengthen Proton’s ability to design, develop and manufacture new vehicles by enhancing the synergy of “Proton’s existing in-house R&D capabilities with Geely’s resources and expertise.”