Proton plans 2013 commercial rollout of EVs in Malaysia

Malaysian car manufacturer Proton Holdings Bhd is looking to take bring its electric vehicles to the market in 2013, according to the Star newspaper.

Proton  Director, Datuk Zainuddin Che Din, said  the vehicles which are now in the test fleet stage, will be brought to the commercial front, to cater to an increasing demand for full electric cars in Malaysia.

“Currently, we have already delivered three Proton Saga EV and five units of the Proton Exora Range Extender EV to the government for the test fleet.

“In the process of commercializing the vehicle, we are looking to provide at least 200 Range Extenders and 150 Proton Saga EV’s to the government by the end of next year,” he told reporters.

 “The price will be cheaper and competitive for a full electric car in the country,” said Zainuddin, who is also the Project Director of Proton’s Green Tech Department.

He said that to accommodate the needs of the electric cars once commercialized, Proton and the government are currently working on a mechanism to build infrastructure to place electric vehicle charging centers.