Proton has handed over the first batch of electric vehicles (EV) to the Government for testing and expects to mass produce them in two years.
The cars three Saga EVs and five Exora REEV or Range Extender Electric Vehicle will be used by the Prime Minister’s Department and four other ministries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak received the vehicles from Proton chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh at the Perdana Putra building here yesterday.
Also present was Proton adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Proton Group managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the group was targeting to offer the vehicles to the public in 2013.
“While we are very excited about the EVs, there is still a lot of testing and evaluation to be carried out.
“We will provide the Government with 200 more EVs and REEVs for this within a year,” he said.
He said Proton expected to receive a lot of feedback during the one-year test and evaluation period.
The EVs are expected to cost between RM70,000 and RM100,000.
“We are looking at RM100,000 or lower for the Exora REEV and RM70,000 for the Saga EV.
“Yes, the price is 30% to 40% higher than conventional vehicles but users get to save on fuel and road tax,” Syed Zainal Abidin said.
He added that on a full tank of petrol, the Exora REEV could cover up to 700km while the Saga EV could travel up to 130km before it needed to be recharged.
In a statement, the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry said a charging system for home use would be supplied to motorists by the ministry and four others the Prime Minister’s Department as well as the Transport, Trade and Industry, and Finance ministries.
Earlier this year, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said amendments to the Road Transport Act related to hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles had to be put on hold.
