Jakarta – The Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU) is one of the supporting infrastructures for electric cars. However, it is acknowledged that currently the number of SPKLUs in Indonesia is still lacking and is not comparable with the circulation of vehicles.
Operations Director of PT Haleyora Power Diksi Erfani Umar acknowledged that PLN would continue to try to expand the SPKLU network. It is hoped that this will encourage people to switch from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles.
“In the initial study, it was 1 in 10. If there are 10 car populations, it means that there is 1 general filling that must be available. If now (there are) 15,000 (electric cars) then we should need 1,500 (SPKLU),” said Diksi in South Jakarta some time ago.
Currently, PLN claims that there have been 660 SPKLUs built throughout Indonesia with a variety of charging technologies. However, Diksi revealed that the government is targeting to build 1,000 SPKLUs by the end of this year.
“So it’s true that the government is targeting an additional 1,000 (SPKLU), because now there are 660, it hasn’t reached 700. Yes, the principle is like that (15,000 electric cars need 1,500 SPKLU),” said Diksi.
The increase in electric car users is recognized by Diction because there is a policy from the government regarding VAT (Value Added Tax) deductions. This makes people interested in switching because the price of electric cars has decreased significantly.
As is well known, cutting VAT from 11 percent to 1 percent has reduced car prices from Rp. 20 million to Rp. 70 million. After the policy was issued, sales of electric cars immediately showed an increase.
“People still think of price when buying an electric car. But now it has been answered with VAT incentives. Then PLN has given a special rate for electric cars. In the future, if these facilities can be answered, the ecosystem will surely grow,” he said.
Initially, Diksi revealed that certain people bought electric cars just to avoid the odd-even rule. However, he said that currently people buy electric cars because there are many benefits to be had.
“So if the government only targets 8,000 (electric car users) this year, I think there will be even more. We’re sure that’s why, especially since Jakartans (use) electric cars are free of odd-even, it’s extraordinary. Many people buy electric cars for the first time,” he said.
