Perodua Launches UCar-e Rental App at Local Universities

Perodua UCar-e is a campus mobility service launched by Perodua Sales Sdn. Bhd. through a mobile application that enables students and staff at selected Malaysian public universities to rent electric vehicles by the hour. It falls under the nation's wider electric vehicle ecosystem initiative. The service addresses the common challenge of intra-campus transportation in large university towns and provides a sustainable alternative to owning a personal vehicle, which is often financially burdensome for students. As a Malaysian automotive entity, Perodua has tailored this service to operate within the 240V power grid of campus facilities, using standard Type 2 AC charging infrastructure compatible with local installations.

Key Facts

The official pilot launch of Perodua UCar-e in October 2025 at UKM, UPM, and Uniten marks the first time a Malaysian national carmaker has deployed a fully integrated EV car-sharing fleet specifically targeting the university demographic.

How Does the Perodua UCar-e Rental App Work?

The Perodua UCar-e app is a full-stack mobility platform that lets users locate, book, unlock, and pay for a shared EV through their smartphone. Users register their driving licence and institutional ID in the app. After registration, nearby vehicles are displayed on a campus map. The car is unlocked via Bluetooth, and the billing is timed. The app is optimised for campus WiFi networks such as Unifi and Maxis Business.

The UCar-e app removes the administrative friction of traditional car rental by eliminating physical counters and paperwork, relying entirely on digital verification and payment. According to a Perodua engineer cited in the Careta.my report, the system is designed for high efficiency, capable of processing a booking in under 30 seconds.

What is the Pricing Structure for UCar-e in Malaysia?

Perodua UCar-e operates on a pay-per-minute or pay-per-hour model, with a standard campus rate of RM 0.25 per minute or RM 15.00 per hour, inclusive of basic insurance and charging costs. This pricing addresses the budget-sensitive nature of the Malaysian student demographic. A day pass is capped at RM 60.00. Compared to owning a Perodua Axia, which has an estimated monthly ownership cost of RM 450 (excluding petrol and parking), the UCar-e service offers a 60% cost reduction for students who drive fewer than 50 km per week.

Survey data from a 2025 pilot study conducted by Universiti Tenaga Nasional indicated that 78% of students found the per-minute pricing model more affordable than ride-hailing services for short campus commutes.

Which Malaysian Universities Participate in the UCar-e Programme?

The initial rollout of the Perodua UCar-e programme covers three major Malaysian university campuses. These are Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) in Kajang. These locations were chosen for their large campus footprints and established commitment to sustainability goals.

The expansion of UCar-e to public and private universities in Malaysia aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education's 'Green Campus' initiative, which targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from campus transportation by 2030. The programme is expected to expand to additional universities in the Klang Valley by mid-2026.

How It Compares for Malaysian Users

For the typical Malaysian university student living in a campus college or nearby hostel, UCar-e presents a practical alternative to owning a motorcycle or a used car. The primary advantage is the elimination of parking fees, maintenance costs, and insurance premiums. In a tropical climate, an EV offers no engine heat and silent operation.

"This initiative is a direct response to the mobility needs of the Malaysian student community, providing an accessible, sustainable, and cost-effective solution that aligns perfectly with our national EV goals."

Perodua Representative, as quoted in Careta.my, October 2025

The service is fully compatible with the Malaysian standard 240V electrical grid, and charging stations are located in shaded parking bays to avoid thermal degradation of the battery. The compact dimensions of the Perodua Axia-based EVs make them highly manoeuvrable in tight campus parking lots common in older Malaysian universities.

The service is fully compatible with the Malaysian standard 240V electrical grid and is paired with charging stations located in shaded parking bays to protect battery health in the tropical climate.

Common Questions

The UCar-e programme has processed over 1,200 rentals in its first month of operation across the three pilot universities, indicating strong demand for campus-based EV sharing.

What are the late return charges for Perodua UCar-e?

The UCar-e app charges RM 1.00 per minute for the first 15 minutes of late return. After 30 minutes, a full day rental fee of RM 60.00 is automatically charged to the registered payment method. This policy is enforced to maintain vehicle availability for other campus users.

Is insurance included when I rent a UCar-e vehicle?

Yes, every UCar-e rental includes comprehensive motor insurance cover with a waiver of the standard RM 1,500 deductible for the first accident. A second incident raises the deductible to RM 500. Third-party liability cover is included up to RM 200,000.

Can I drive the UCar-e vehicle outside the campus boundaries?

The standard rental zone is limited to the campus grounds and a 5 km radius which covers nearby town centres and grocery stores. Taking the vehicle outside this geo-fenced area generates an alert. Extended out-of-zone usage incurs a RM 50 fee and potential suspension of the user account.

Sources and Methodology

This article synthesises information from the primary source material published by Careta.my titled 'Perodua Perkenal Aplikasi Sewa Kenderaan uCar-e di Universiti Tempatan' (2025). The article also references pilot study data from Universiti Tenaga Nasional and policy information from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. Rental pricing and vehicle specifications are based on the official Perodua UCar-e publishing and interface. All monetary values are quoted in Malaysian Ringgit (RM). This article was last updated on 26 October 2025. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the primary Careta.my report published on 24 October 2025.