PDRM tests Proton e.MAS EVs as Malaysian police cars
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) took delivery of three Proton e.MAS electric vehicles on 10 September 2026 to test whether EVs can handle real police work. The three cars are an e.MAS 5 Premium, an e.MAS 7 Premium and an e.MAS 7 PHEV Premium Plus. No decision to add them to the fleet has been made yet, but the trial shows how far EVs have come in Malaysia.
For private owners, it also brings back the question of what an EV costs to keep on the road now that the road tax exemption has ended.
Key Takeaways
- PRO-NET handed three Proton e.MAS vehicles to PDRM at Bukit Aman on 10 September 2026 for a real-world trial.
- PDRM is checking how easy they are to drive, how practical they are, what charging they need and how they fit into the fleet. Gentari is providing free charging for the whole trial.
- The e.MAS 5 was Malaysia's best-selling EV in August 2026, with 4,770 registrations (11.4% of new vehicles).
- Since 1 January 2026, EV road tax in Malaysia depends on motor power (kW). A private e.MAS 5 Premium pays about RM60 a year.
- The Motorist App reminds you before your road tax expires and gets you insurance quotes within 24 hours, so you don't have to rush a renewal.
What PDRM Is Testing and Why
Three different powertrains. PDRM chose two full EVs and one plug-in hybrid (PHEV), so it can compare them side by side. The e.MAS 5 is a compact hatchback. The e.MAS 7 is a mid-size SUV, and the PHEV version keeps a petrol engine as a backup.
What's being checked. The trial covers drivability, practicality, charging needs, performance under operational demands, daily usage patterns and how the cars fit into fleet operations. If they pass, they could be used for routine duties such as crime-prevention patrols. Adoption would still need government approval.
A familiar partner. Proton has supplied PDRM before, including police-spec Proton S70 sedans. That existing relationship makes it easier for PDRM to test EVs and bring them into the fleet if the trial goes well.
Proton e.MAS Trial Cars: Specs at a Glance
| Model (PDRM trial unit) | Powertrain | Output | Battery | Claimed range | DC charging | Est. private road tax (Peninsular)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e.MAS 5 Premium | BEV | 85 kW (116 PS), 150 Nm | 40.16 kWh LFP | 325 km (WLTP) | 71 kW, 30–80% in ~21 min | ~RM60/year |
| e.MAS 7 Premium | BEV | ~160 kW (215 hp), 320 Nm | 60.2 kWh LFP | Up to 410 km | 100 kW | ~RM180/year |
| e.MAS 7 PHEV Premium Plus | 1.5L petrol + electric | 258 hp combined | 29.8 kWh LFP | 146 km electric | 60 kW | RM90/year (1.5L engine) |
*Estimates use the JPJ kW-based EV rates from 1 January 2026. PHEVs are taxed on engine capacity. The e.MAS 5 Premium is listed at RM69,800.
Why range matters for patrol work. Police cars often sit idling with lights and air-con running, and they can't always stop to charge. That's why the PHEV, with 146 km on electric power plus a petrol backup, is an important part of the comparison.
What an EV Costs to Own in Malaysia in 2026
The road tax exemption has ended. EV road tax exemptions finished on 31 December 2025. Since 1 January 2026, EVs pay road tax across 11 kW bands. Most mainstream EVs fall in the first two bands:
| Band | Motor power | Annual road tax | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to 100 kW | RM20–RM70 | BYD Dolphin (70 kW): RM40 |
| B | 100.1–210 kW | RM80–RM280 | BYD Atto 3 Extended (150 kW): RM160 |
| C | 210.1–310 kW | RM305–RM575 | Tesla Model Y RWD (220 kW): RM305 |
| K | Above 1,010 kW | RM20,000 flat | Hypercar territory |
Still cheaper than petrol. EV road tax is set well below the rates for equivalent petrol cars. Even so, it's now a yearly renewal that owners can forget, just like on a petrol car.
Expert tip: You can renew road tax up to two months before it expires. Renew your insurance at the start of that window. The insurer's record can take 1–3 working days to reach JPJ, and renewing early means that delay never leaves you driving with expired road tax.
Common mistake: Some owners assume their EV is still exempt from road tax. The exemption ended on 31 December 2025. Driving with expired road tax is an offence under the Road Transport Act 1987, even if your car's road tax is only RM20 a year.
Could EVs Really Become Malaysian Police Cars?
The case for. EVs accelerate instantly, have fewer parts to service and cost very little to run. That suits city patrols with short, repeated trips. The e.MAS 5 sells in big numbers, so parts and service should be easy to find.
The challenges. Long rural highway patrols, high-speed pursuits and quick turnaround between shifts all need a reliable charging network. That's likely why PDRM included a PHEV in the trial.
What happens next. PDRM hasn't announced a timeline or a decision. The results will shape any government fleet decision. Motorist will cover the outcome when it's announced.
PDRM's trial of three Proton e.MAS vehicles is the most serious test yet of EVs in Malaysian public service, and the choice of two EVs plus a PHEV is a practical way to run it. If you own a private EV, remember that road tax is now due every year. Keeping track of it early costs less than getting caught out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is PDRM using electric police cars?
PDRM is testing three Proton e.MAS vehicles, handed over on 10 September 2026. It has not decided whether to add them to the police fleet.
2. Which EVs is PDRM testing?
The Proton e.MAS 5 Premium, the e.MAS 7 Premium and the e.MAS 7 PHEV Premium Plus, all supplied by PRO-NET.
3. Who is paying for charging during the PDRM EV trial?
Gentari is providing free charging for all three vehicles throughout the trial.
4. What is the range of the Proton e.MAS 5 Premium?
It has a claimed WLTP range of 325 km from a 40.16 kWh LFP battery. It charges from 30% to 80% in about 21 minutes on a 71 kW DC charger.
5. Do EVs pay road tax in Malaysia in 2026?
Yes. The exemption ended on 31 December 2025, and since 1 January 2026 EVs pay road tax based on motor power in kW.
6. How much is road tax for a Proton e.MAS 5?
The e.MAS 5 Premium (85 kW) pays about RM60 a year in Peninsular Malaysia. Lower-powered EVs in Band A start from RM20.
7. How is road tax calculated for a PHEV like the e.MAS 7 PHEV?
PHEVs are taxed on engine capacity like petrol cars. The e.MAS 7 PHEV's 1.5L engine works out to about RM90 a year in Peninsular Malaysia.
8. How early can I renew my road tax in Malaysia?
Up to two months before it expires, for 6 or 12 months, as long as your insurance is valid.
9. Why doesn't my renewed insurance show up in MyJPJ?
It can take 1–3 working days for your insurer's record to reach JPJ, so renew early to leave time for that.
10. How can the Motorist App help with road tax renewal?
The Motorist App sends reminders before your road tax expires, gets you insurance quotes within 24 hours and answers questions through AutoConcierge chat.
Never miss your EV road tax renewal. Download the Motorist App for free road tax expiry reminders and insurance quotes within 24 hours.
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