Jakarta – Sales of electric motorbikes in Indonesia are still not very encouraging. At least until October 2022 there were only 31,827 electric motorbikes if we refer to the records of the number of Type Test Registration Certifications (SRUT) issued which were officially issued by the Ministry of Transportation.
Based on the Regulation of the Director General of Land Transportation No. KP.1227/AJ.502/DRJD/2019 Regarding Technical Guidelines for Type Test Certificates and Type Test Registration Certificates, what is meant by a Type Test Registration Letter (SRUT) is a certificate as proof that every motorized vehicle is in complete condition, trailer, trailer, manufactured/assembled/imported has technical specifications and performance in accordance with the type of vehicle that has been approved and has a Type Test Certificate. So every vehicle operating in the jurisdiction of Indonesia must have an SRUT. This also shows that the SRUT data can be used as an indicator of the number of vehicles issued.
The government of President Joko Widodo is very serious about working on the development of electric motorbikes or Battery-Based Electric Vehicles (KLBB). This seriousness began with the issuance of Presidential Regulation Number 55 of 2019 concerning the Acceleration of the Battery Electric Vehicle Program for Road Transportation. Followed by the issuance of various derivative regulations to facilitate the program.
Presidential Decree No. 55 of 2019 aims to increase efficiency, resilience and energy conservation in the transportation sector. This regulation also has a target to reduce the amount of vehicle exhaust emissions, including also aiming to achieve a net zero emission target by 2060.
It is not half-hearted that President Jokowi has also set a production target of 2,000,000 units in 2025. Not only limited to the target, but also providing facilities from the government for the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem. Some forms of relief and convenience provided include tax policy, electricity price policy, growth in the number of charging stations, and ease of establishing new factories related to electric vehicles.
Departing from this enthusiasm, as of November 2022 AISI data records that at least around 35 companies engaged in the production and sale of electric motorbikes have appeared. However, this appearance is not in line with the number of sales which are still around 31,000 units. This is because people are still unsure about electric vehicles, both in terms of battery resistance to prices that are considered relatively more expensive than vehicles based on internal combustion engines.
Recently, in order to increase the population of electric vehicles, President Jokowi has also issued a statement with the issuance of Presidential Instruction (INPRES) Number 7 of 2022 concerning the Use of Battery Electric Vehicles as Operational Service Vehicles and/or Individual Service Vehicles for Central Government Agencies. and Regional Government . It is hoped that this Presidential Instruction will help stimulate increased production of vehicles that are known to have no emissions, as well as a manifestation of Jokowi's seriousness in accelerating the increase in the use of electric vehicles.
This move seems to be still not enough to increase the population of electric vehicles, this is indeed more possible because of the issue of relatively much more expensive prices. This problem is indeed again a scourge besides what has been written about the problem regarding batteries, both in terms of ease of access to charging, charging speed, maintenance to the ability or durability of the battery in daily use.
Great enthusiasm and no less sense, since the end of 2022 there has been talk of giving special incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. In the discourse, according to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Panjaitan, this regulation can be enforced in February 2022 for the motorcycle category, which will receive an incentive injection of Rp. 7,000,000, while the car category will receive a tax incentive of 10%.
However, it seems that this last point also needs to be calculated in a more mature manner, because it is impossible for all electric motorbikes to be hit equally with an incentive of Rp. 7,000,000, must also pay attention to the quality of the vehicle, the type of battery used and TKDN (Domestic Component Level). So that all efforts can be maximally successful and provide benefits to all parties.
"We from AISI also support the Government's policy in accelerating the development of Electric Motorcycles. We realize this by collaborating with electric motorcycle companies at IMOS 2022, including the commitment of AISI member machetes to develop electric motorbikes in Indonesia." Said Hari Budianto when he was contacted at the SAE – Indonesia Association of Automotive Engineers (IATO) recently. (VA).