QC Fleet Management launches first commercial EV, EC35, for Malaysian market

CYBERJAYA, May 24 (Bernama) -- QC Fleet Management Sdn Bhd today officially launched the first commercial emission-free pure electric vehicle (EV), EC35, produced by Dongfeng Sokon Automobile (DFSK), China, for the Malaysian market.

QC Fleet Management managing director Lim Khoon Yee said the EC35 offers a sustainable solution for the transportation and logistics industry and provides a way for companies to reduce their carbon footprint and operational cost at the same time.

"Our target market is mainly for last-mile delivery operators, courier service companies, and small and medium enterprise owners that are looking for a more sustainable and cost-efficient solution for their services.

"We are targeting to sell around 500 units of EC35 over the next 12 months," he told the media at the launch of EC35 held at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), here.

Lim noted that the unique selling point of EC35 is contrary to popular opinion, that going green does not have to be expensive because there is actually cost-savings by going all electric.

"We are currently negotiating with a few companies to supply the EC35 and one of them is Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) which is targeting to transform its fleet into EV fleet...We are still in discussions," he said.

Meanwhile, MARii chairman Datuk Phang Ah Tong said it is estimated that there are 3,000 EVs in the country today, and the government is targeting to have around one million EVs on the road, that are defined by the battery EV and plug-in hybrid EV, by 2030.

In terms of infrastructure, he said Malaysia currently has a total of 500 alternating current (AC) charging stations nationwide and only nine charging stations that offer direct current (DC) chargers.

"The government has set a target of having 10,000 charging stations in the country by 2030, consisting of 9,000 AC chargers and 1,000 DC chargers," he said.

The EC35 is powered by a 38.7 kiloWatt hour (kWh) lithium battery and comes with charging capabilities from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in 35 minutes using a DC rapid charger.

The EV is estimated to provide an annual savings of 33 per cent in servicing and in excess of 78 per cent in daily fuel costs. A fully charged battery is expected to run for 268 kilometres (km) as per Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) or 200km for city driving.

The van is available for sale and lease with leasing options of between three and five years, and is priced at RM130,000 excluding registration and insurance.

-- BERNAMA