Malaysia’s new electric car joins the party at the 2025 Independence Day celebration

The Proton e.MAS 5 made its first public appearance yesterday (31st August 2025) at Dataran Putrajaya. Thousands of Malaysians were there celebrating the country’s 68th Independence Day, and they got to see this new electric car up close.

This was a big moment for Malaysia’s car industry, to finally show the Proton e.MAS 7’s sibling to the masses, albeit still camouflaged.

Merdaka Day Special

Salawati Mohd Yusoff, who works as Chief Branding Officer at Proton New Energy Technology Sdn Bhd (PRO-NET), explained why they picked this day. The company wanted to support the government’s push for cleaner cars in Malaysia.

“We want to show Malaysians this electric car and prove it’s comfortable and practical for everyday use,” Salawati told reporters.

You’ll see the e.MAS 5 officially launched in the fourth quarter of 2025. This Merdeka appearance gave Malaysians their first real look at what’s coming.

Following the e.MAS 7’s Example

This isn’t the first time a Proton electric car appeared on National Day. The e.MAS 7, Malaysia’s first electric car from Proton, showed up last year too. Both cars were at yesterday’s parade.

The parade featured many vehicles from DRB-HICOM. You saw the classic Proton Saga leading the way, plus a Modenas Kriss First Edition motorcycle. The Modenas MEV 1 and MEV 2 electric motorcycles were there too, showing that electric power isn’t just for cars.

FAQ

When will the e.MAS 5 be available for purchase? The official launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. You’ll need to wait a bit longer before you can buy one.

How does the e.MAS 5 compare to the e.MAS 7? The e.MAS 7 was Malaysia’s first Proton electric car. The e.MAS 5 is the newer model, though specific comparisons haven’t been released yet.

Where can I see the e.MAS 5 before it launches? Right now, public appearances are limited to special events like the Merdeka celebration. Proton will likely announce more showcase opportunities closer to the launch date.

Will the e.MAS 5 be affordable for regular Malaysians? Pricing details haven’t been announced yet. You’ll have to wait for the official launch for pricing information but it is expected to be cheaper than the e.MAS 7.

Source: BERNAMA & NST