Electric motorbikes sales in Indonesia are very far from expectations. In fact, the government hopes that the acceptance of electric motorbikes can accelerate the national electrification program.
It is hoped that the increasing population of electric motorbikes in Indonesia will have a domino effect on other electric vehicles. The problem is that people still turn a blind eye to electric motorbikes.
Even though the government is very serious about providing new policies that will help sales of electric motorbikes in Indonesia. For example, the electric motorbike subsidy is IDR 7 million.
Initially the government set quite tough conditions for people who could receive these subsidies. However, this requirement was then made easier by just using a Resident Identity Card (KTP). One ID card, one electric motorbike, that’s the bottom line.
The problem is that these changes are still not able to persuade people to buy electric motorbikes. In total, up to now, only 11,532 electric motorbikes have been sold with the help of a discount of IDR 7 million.
Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita revealed that the inhibiting factor for sales of electric motorbikes is the battery.
“For consumers of electric cars and motorbikes, one of the important things is the battery. “So these components must be able to have a long, long duration, and the battery must be easy to charge,” Agus told reporters in Jakarta, on Wednesday (3/1/2024).
Apart from making the price expensive, charging the battery which is considered time-consuming also makes people reluctant to switch. Therefore, it is hoped that shortly standardization regarding the type and time of battery charging will be determined by the government.
Education and outreach regarding electric motorbikes is also considered an obstacle to the low uptake of environmentally friendly vehicles. It is hoped that all parties, including manufacturers, governments, and institutions, will work together to reveal the benefits of using electric motorbikes.
“Education regarding the advantages and benefits of electric motorbikes for daily use must be improved. “This is a shared responsibility, both producers, government, and other community institutions,” said Andry Dwinata, General Manager of PT Terang Dunia Internusa (TDI) which oversees United E-Motor.
Andry said that electric motorbikes are an alternative vehicle suitable for daily mobility. The reason is, its use is very economical without using fuel (fuel oil).
“We must play an active role in campaigning for electric motorbikes as a means of transportation that is cost-effective, economical, and good for the environment,” he said.
