MITI green-lights Blueshark EV Scooter brand for CKD

EP Manufacturing Berhad (EPMB) has been given the green light by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to locally assemble (CKD) the Blueshark brand electric motorcycles. This was confirmed by EPMB through a press release issued recently.

Prior to this approval from MITI, EP Blueshark, a subsidiary wholly-owned by EPMB, had garnered both the brand licensing and type-approval by the Road and Transport Department (JPJ), the latter enabling the electric bikes to be fully registered legally as a road-going vehicle.

This manufacturing approval will grant EPMB the rights to assemble Blueshark electric scooters, which sees components imported in semi- (SKD) or completed knocked down (CKD) forms.

With the conditional approval to construct its manufacturing plant in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, EPMB has projected to produce 50,000 units annually for distribution in both the local and regional ASEAN markets. This is poised to match growing regional demands for EV bikes in the coming years, with manufacturing and assembly efforts set to follow these demands accordingly, said EPMB.

Earlier this year, an agreement for manufacturing and distribution of Blueshark EV scooters for both the local Malaysian and other ASEAN markets was signed between EPMB and Sharkgulf Technologies Group – parent company of the Blueshark EV scooters brand – as well as CIS Pride Silver Rock Fund.

In its current range, the range-topping Blueshark R1 model boasts a 5,000W high-speed electric motor that generates 6.7 HP and 201 NM of twist. Said motor draws power from a pair of rechargeable 1.44 kWh battery packs, which produces a combined capacity of 2.88 kWh. Altogether, Blueshark claims this setup provides an estimated 160 KM travel range (at a speed of 25 KM/H).

Safety features present includes an array of driver (or rider?) assistances enabled by a dual camera system and rear-facing sensors combination. Additionally, this EV scooter is also primed with all-round disc brakes tied to a combined braking system (CBS) module too.

Other key features present include a 10-inch full colour digital instrument panel, as well as novel secure fingerprint sensor for the bike’s ignition. The latter runs off Blueshark’s proprietary ArkRide operating system as well.