In a groundbreaking feat of endurance and engineering, the Proton e.MAS 7 has completed a 10,432-kilometre expedition across nine ASEAN countries, marking a significant milestone in electric vehicle (EV) mobility for the region. The journey, dubbed the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025, was organized by the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and spanned 22 days without a single incident—underscoring both the reliability and resilience of Malaysia’s number one EV.
The e.MAS 7 blazed a trail through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, East Malaysia (Sarawak & Sabah), Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore before returning home to Malaysia. Originally planned as a 9,000km road trip, the final distance surpassed expectations by over 1,400km, highlighting the vehicle’s exceptional performance and stamina under diverse and demanding conditions. 
“Completing over 10,000 kilometres across nine countries without a single battery issue is no small feat,” said Zhang Qiang, CEO of PRO-NET. “Everyone who has ever worked on the Proton e.MAS 7 project can be proud of this achievement. This journey belongs to all of us.” 
From mountainous terrain and dense urban sprawl to remote villages and flood-prone highways, the Proton e.MAS 7 encountered every challenge Southeast Asia could offer. The high-efficiency battery system delivered consistent performance through intense heat, humidity, and unpredictable weather, reassuring current and future EV adopters of its reliability and safety. 
Mohd Adib bin Mohd Azam, one of the drivers, recounted, “There were some challenging routes where the road condition was bad, and some of the routes took us far from the charging point. We had to stop at a coffee shop and use a portable AC charger just to reach the next station.” 
Despite experiencing range anxiety during the 356km leg from Pakse to Krong Kracheh, Muhammad Taufiq bin Mohd. Zin noted that the e.MAS 7 lived up to its claimed range, reinforcing trust in the vehicle’s capabilities. 
To tackle charging limitations, especially in remote areas like Laos, the team relied on mobile apps, local search engines, and even domestic power supplies. Wan Kok Chai explained, “We brought a mobile charger to tap into household current when no commercial station was nearby.” 
Actor and mixed martial artist Peter Hugh Davis, also a driver on the expedition, noted, “We had to stop overnight and tactically charge for long trips the next day. We were constantly on the road for weeks, but the e.MAS handled it all.” 
Motoring journalist Yamin Vong was particularly impressed during the East Malaysia segment of the drive. “The e.MAS delivered on its 430km range, even under tough road and weather conditions. It managed everything from gravel stretches to flash floods with confidence. As someone considering an EV, the e.MAS truly inspires.” 
The culmination of this historic journey was Malaysia’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2025, where the Proton e.MAS 7 served as the official vehicle. Its prominent presence at the summit symbolized Malaysia’s growing leadership in sustainable transportation and its commitment to connecting the region through clean, innovative mobility. 
From Pakse to Putrajaya, kilometre by kilometre, the Proton e.MAS 7 did more than complete a road trip—it united a region. It carried the hopes of a cleaner, more connected ASEAN future and proved that Malaysian engineering can stand tall on the global stage. The success of the ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 has not only elevated the e.MAS 7 as a regional benchmark for electric vehicles but also highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering pursuit of mobility innovation. 
