If we believe that electric vehicles are the future, additional incentives should be formulated and implemented immediately. Otherwise, the transition will be slow. Moreover, next year a global recession is predicted.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
ALBERTUS KRISNA
A number of electric cars were exhibited at the 2022 Electric Indonesia Motor Show (EIMS) at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta.
When the largest nickel reserves are in Indonesia, logically the majority of people use electric vehicles. Unfortunately, many things do not make sense.
It doesn't make sense knowing that Indonesia is an importing country for fuel oil (BBM). Then, most motorized vehicle users turn out to be driving on the highway using subsidized fuel.
Why don't people immediately switch to electric vehicles? Based on a Kompas analysis of 15 types of motorcycles and 69 types of cars under Rp 1 billion (US$65.500), the average selling price of electric vehicles is relatively more expensive than fuel vehicles. The results of the analysis had been published in the Thursday and Friday editions of Kompas daily (6-7/10/2022).
The price of electric motorcycles is about 11 percent more expensive or Rp. 2.9 million compared to BBM motorcycles. Meanwhile, the average price of an electric car is Rp 617.5 million or 47 percent (Rp 198 million) more expensive than the average price of a fuel car.
With the price difference, most feel too forced to switch to electric cars. Only those who have money buy electric cars. It's also mostly clearly not the first car. Some of them also have offices in Jakarta which are subject to the odd-even rule.
From the work of the Kompas data journalism team, it was revealed that the switch to electric motorcycles is far more likely. Currently, some Gojek driver partners, for example, use electric motorcycles.
ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA
An online motorcycle taxi driver removes a battery from an electric motor at the PLN Distribution Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPLKU) for Greater Jakarta Distribution, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Thursday (6/10/2022).
Without too much effort from the government, a shift to two-wheeled electric vehicles seems possible. Buyers seem to be waiting for products from large manufacturers that have now been awoken by electric motorcycle or bicycle manufacturers. The penetration of electric bicycles comes from residential areas.
To catch up with the target of 13 million electric motorcycles by 2030, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has also prepared a program for converting fuel engines to electric engines. Conversion workshops are now popping up even though some people are still limited to converting their favorite motorcycles.
Meanwhile, incentives are needed to encourage the switch to electric cars. In Jakarta, more incentives have been given in the form of free crossing on odd-even roads. However, there are many other incentive schemes ranging from purchase subsidies and free parking fees, to free crossing on toll roads.
If we believe that electric vehicles are the future, additional incentives should be formulated and implemented immediately. Otherwise, the transition will be slow. Moreover, next year a global recession is predicted. Consumers will be more restrained from buying anything, including new vehicles. If that happens, the penetration of electric vehicles, especially electric cars in Indonesia will be far behind other countries which in the long run will benefit more from electric vehicles.
