KUCHING: Proton’s electric vehicle (EV), the e.MAS, has seen encouraging demand in East Malaysia.
Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd’s head of user development and user operations, Lampard Peng, said that while sales figures in West Malaysia remain higher due to a larger market base, demand in East Malaysia is growing steadily.
“There are more dealers coming in, and Kuching is seeing significant growth. Based on vehicle registration data from the Road Transport Department of Malaysia, the e.MAS was the best-selling EV nationwide in January 2025,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
For the record, Proton’s first EV emerged as the most popular EV model last month, with 421 units sold.
It was followed by the BYD Sealion 7 in second place with 151 units, the BYD M6 in third with 136 units, and the BYD Atto 3 in fourth with 104 units.
Proton positions the e.MAS as a national brand, distinguishing itself from competitors like Tesla and BYD.
Looking at the situation, Peng emphasised the company’s role in supporting Malaysia’s transition to EVs.
“The Proton e.MAS is a national brand, and this is what sets us apart from other brands, whether Tesla, BYD, or others.
“As a national brand, we have a responsibility to help the government and the market transition to EVs,” he said.
He further explained that the company has undertaken extensive localisation efforts, particularly in integrating the vehicle with Malaysia’s charging infrastructure, climate conditions, and road networks.
He added that Proton has partnered with key charge point operators (CPOs) in Malaysia to ensure that 85 per cent of public charging stations are accessible via the Proton e.MAS app.
The app also provides real-time updates on charging station availability, ensuring a seamless user experience.
To further support EV adoption, he said the company is collaborating with developers to install EV chargers in apartment complexes, addressing concerns from potential buyers.
Currently, Sarawak has two operational EV charging stations in Kuching: chargEV at The Spring Shopping Mall and SEB x Gentari at Icom Square.
Explaining what makes Malaysia’s first national EV stand out, Peng said the premium variant of the e.MAS is equipped with a high-capacity battery, delivering a Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP)-rated range of over 400km per charge.
He highlighted that internal testing showed the vehicle could travel from Kuala Lumpur to Sungai Petani (approximately 400km) without needing a recharge.
“This, however, may vary depending on driving behaviour,” he added.
Regarding the long-term impact of EV adoption, given that most Malaysians still prefer petrol-powered vehicles, he acknowledged that the transition would take time.
“This is a journey. We cannot expect the market to shift from petrol to EV overnight. However, we are seeing a positive trend in Malaysia, with more people open to trying EVs.
“We have observed that once people start driving EVs, they rarely switch back to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. When you ask them about their experience, they actively promote EVs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Melinau EV Sdn Bhd (Melinau) chief executive officer and executive director, David Yii Teck Sing, disclosed that for Sarawak, the first batch of 12 e.MAS units has arrived and will be delivered in the coming days, while an additional 21 units are expected this month.
