Malaysia-designed Thada EV Motorcycles Rev Up Market Momentum in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Sept 30 (Bernama) --  Malaysia-owned MCLS Synergy Co. Ltd is aspiring to expand its share in Cambodia's growing green transportation system with its Thada brand electric motorcycles. 

As Cambodia's capital city embraces eco-friendly goals, the demand for green transportation options is slowly increasing, thus changing the electric vehicle (EV) market dynamics.

The slick and easy-to-ride Thada bikes —  designed in Malaysia, with parts produced in China and assembled in Phnom Penh — entered the market in 2018 to compete in the relatively new segment, taking advantage of Cambodia’s policy to promote low-carbon emission vehicles to reduce pollution.

Although the EV market is still in the infancy stage, MCLS sold about 400 units in the domestic market since its launch, despite competing with around 10 other EV players. 

MCLS's managing director Syaiful Hazreen Hasan Nodin told Bernama that conventional motorbikes still dominate the motorcycle market while the EV sector remains untapped.

“There is great potential in the Cambodian market; it has a young and growing population, and for many students and adults, motorcycles are the main mode of transportation, and fuel is expensive here.

“But the lack of awareness is contributing to the slow growth of the market and there are too many players,” said Syaiful. 

Phnom Penh is home to about three million people. The country has over five million motorcycles.

According to the Public Works and Transport Ministry, there are 914 registered electric scooters and 18 EV charging stations as of June 2024 across the kingdom. 

Backed by an attractive business model and affordable pricing package, Thada continues to rival its competitors in the EV segment.

“To make it more affordable, we introduced a rental package for customers, and to overcome the battery charging station problem, we collaborated with a battery charging company.

“They provide a battery station over a 5 to 10 km radius in Phnom Penh City. Customers can change the battery and continue their journey for another 60 km. 

“The rental business model comes with a monthly package with unlimited mileage. The customer pays a monthly payment without extra cost to charge the battery, and only swap or change the battery at the battery station,” said Syaiful.

Thada has launched three models thus far, Thada-OX (1,200 watts), Thada-H1 (1,200 watts) and Thada Moon-X (3,000 watts), all using lithium batteries. 

These motorbikes, said Syaiful, have zero emissions and need less maintenance compared to fuel motorbikes. The noise level is low and they have durable DC motors. 

Thada motorbikes are now popular among young food delivery riders due to their lower fuel cost and comparatively less maintenance than those with combustion engines.

The Cambodian government launched a national policy on electric vehicle development 2024-2030 in July this year with a target to register 720,000 electric motorcycles by 2030.

Cambodia plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 41.7 per cent by 2030.

-- BERNAMA