NxGV Challenge 2025: Student-Built EVs To Help Shape Malaysia’s National EV Policy
The inaugural NxGV Challenge 2025 concluded this week at MAEPS Serdang, with 10 institutions of higher learning showcasing electric go-kart-style vehicles they designed and built. But this challenge wasn’t just about speed and performance; it’s about the future of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem.
Organised by Perodua, the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), and the Society of Automotive Engineers Malaysia (SAEM), the NxGV Challenge aims to feed real-world, localised data and academic insights into the formulation of Malaysia’s upcoming national electric vehicle (EV) policy.
“Perodua, being the main strategic partner for this event, thank the institutions of higher learning for participating in this event. Their findings will go a long way of creating a policy that is based on Malaysia’s unique conditions,” Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said. 
From Classroom To The Track
First announced in December 2024, the NxGV Challenge invited 15 institutions across Malaysia to submit EV go-kart proposals. After a rigorous selection process, 10 top teams were chosen to build and test their EVs at the APD test track in MAEPS Serdang. Participating teams comprised students and faculty members from universities, polytechnics, and technical institutes.
The challenge was split into two main segments:
Static Challenge:
- Business plan evaluation
- Cost analysis
- Design presentation
Dynamic Challenge:
- Skid pad test
- Autocross
- Acceleration performance
These criteria aimed to assess both the technical capability and commercial viability of student-developed EVs.
Towards The Malaysia Industrial Master Plan 2030
Perodua’s involvement in the challenge also aligns with its role in supporting the Malaysia Industrial Master Plan (IMP) 2030, which outlines the nation’s strategic direction in electrification and green technology. 
Dato’ Sri Zainal said that as a national carmaker, Perodua has a responsibility to include Malaysia’s automotive ecosystem and other local institutions in the EV revolution so that the country is relevant in this technology.
The participating Institutions of Higher Learning are:
- Universiti Malaya
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah
- Institut Perindustrian Jitra
- ILP Kuala Lumpur
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Politeknik Port Dickson
- Politeknik Kota Bahru
- Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin
- Taylor’s University
- Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah
