This might make the new Perodua EV one of the most convenient in Malaysia
At the Malaysian Autoshow 2025, Perodua made headlines by mentioning that CATL will be the battery provider for its first EV, which is indeed a swapping battery system. This has sparked strong speculation that Perodua may adopt CATL’s newly launched Choco-Swap standardized battery models, unveiled in December 2024.
CATL’s Choco-Swap ecosystem introduces two standardized battery packs, the #20 and #25, designed for A0-class and A/B-class vehicles, both segments that Perodua’s traditional offerings like the Axia and Myvi are known for. The #20 model, ideal for smaller vehicles, offers up to 52kWh and 500km of range, while the #25 delivers up to 70kWh and 600km of range.
Moreover, these specifications would suit a compact, mass-market EV tailored for Malaysian roads and consumer needs. What makes Choco-Swap particularly attractive for Perodua is its modular, pay-per-use model, which aligns well with Perodua’s reputation for affordability and value-driven ownership.
Instead of buying the battery outright, users can lease it, swap it quickly (within 100 seconds), and even upgrade or buy it back later, making EV ownership more flexible and financially accessible. With CATL planning to roll out 1,000 swap stations by 2025 and a long-term goal of 30,000 globally, there’s a clear infrastructure roadmap in place.
The fact that CATL’s swap stations support a wide range of wheelbases adds another layer of compatibility for future Perodua models. Perodua’s confirmation of CATL as their battery partner and the mention of swappable battery functionality aligns directly with Choco-Swap’s technical and strategic offering.
On top of that, while no official statement has been made specifically naming the Choco-Swap battery models, all signs point to their likely integration. Given the timing, the strategic alignment, and the focus on affordability and scalability, it is highly probable that Perodua’s first EV will use the #20 Choco-Swap battery.
If confirmed, this would position Malaysia as one of the early adopters of standardized battery swapping in Southeast Asia. For Perodua, it could be a game-changer, offering Malaysians an EV with cutting-edge battery tech, flexible ownership options, and lower upfront costs. For CATL, it would mark a major expansion of the Choco-Swap ecosystem too.
So in short, it is very likely we will see these CATL batteries in the new Perodua EV. however, with no battery swapping infrastructure in place here at the moment. We will need to upgrade very quickly.
