Gov’t Speeds Up Electric Motorcycle Conversion Program

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia delivers statement after joining a limited meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (03/05).

The Government continues to promote the use of electric vehicle (EV) as a part of the national energy transition. The program is also part of the Government’s strategy to reduce fuel consumption, ease the burden of energy subsidies, and promote the use of cleaner and more efficient energy in the national transportation sector.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia Thursday (03/05) said that the Government is preparing measures to convert gasoline-powered vehicle into EVs, focusing on motorcycles, which currently exceed 120 million units nationwide.

“We have 120 million gasoline-powered motorcycles, which will be gradually converted into EVs,” he said after a limited meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

He went on to say that the EV conversion program has been running for the past couple of years, in which 200 thousands units of motorcycles are converted into electric motorcycles each year. The program is expected to be accelerated as technological advancements make conversion costs increasingly affordable.

“Currently, cheaper technologies are starting to emerge, so the cost may be around 5–6 million (rupiah), and it will likely become even cheaper over time,” he added.

The Government is also drawing up various supporting schemes to make it easier for the public to convert their vehicles. The scheme is expected to reduce the financial burden on consumers while helping accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles nationwide. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/MMB)