This Is The Cause Of Low Absorption Of Electric Motor Conversion In Indonesia

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) targets to convert 50,000 fuel motors into electric motors by 2023.

Director of Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Gigih Udi Atmo revealed, so far only 4,500 Indonesians have registered to convert their motorbikes.

"Of course this number is still far from the government's expectations. Low interest in public participation related to the conversion of electric motors is partly due to the lack of socialization, high prices, and public concerns regarding the components of electric motors," Gigih said as quoted on Monday, August 14.

Gigih added that the government has made various efforts to attract public interest in participating in the conversion of electric motorcycles, such as by providing subsidy assistance of Rp. 7 million in the form of discounted prices when converting electric motorcycles to reduce the cost of investing in the conversion of electric motors, where the highest cost of converting electric motorcycles is Rp. 17 million.

In terms of full-sale services, Gigih said that electric motorcycle batteries are one of the main components that is feared by the public to be damaged quickly, will receive a warranty of up to three years in the conversion program of electric motors, while the guarantees offered for the gross direct current (BLDC) or motor dynamo for 1 year.

"So people don't need to worry if suddenly in a few months there are problems with batteries, just take them to the workshop and later the workshop will replace the battery," Gigih explained.

Regarding the feasibility and legality of the conversion motorbike, he continued, it has been supported by the Ministry of Transportation and the National Police with the stipulation of a Joint Decree (SKB) signed by the three top leaders of the ministry and institution, namely the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Transportation, and the National Police Chief on July 28, 2023.

Later, he said, after the community registers, the conversion workshop that has been certified by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will convert motorcycles, and when converted, the Ministry of Transportation will conduct roadworthy testing and safety tests (safety) from conversion motorbikes.

"Furthermore, is the creation of the legality of new vehicle documents by the Police, because the conversion motorbike will get a BPKB, STNK and a new number plate with a blue list (electric vehicle), provided that before it is converted, the motorbike does not have tax arrears or obligations that have not been paid," he said.

With the synergy between these institutions, it is hoped that the public will not have to worry about the safety factors on the road, or the legality of the conversion motorbike.

But from all of that, Gigih said that the socialization factor to the community is the most important thing to disseminate information about the benefits and conversion programs of electric motors. Therefore, the socialization of the conversion of electric motors will still be continued in several other cities in Indonesia.

"The socialization of the conversion of electric motorcycles has been carried out in Bali (Denpasar), now in Surabaya, and this is not the last one, but will still be carried out in other big cities in Indonesia, namely Yogyakarta, Semarang, Bandung, Medan, Balikpapan, Makassar, Mataram, and Kupang East Nusa Tenggara," he said.

As additional information, the electric motor conversion program will have a positive impact on increasing electricity consumption by 15 GWh, reducing emissions by 30,000 tons and reducing fuel imports by 20,000 KL which directly saves state foreign exchange of USD10 million, as well as creating new jobs originating from conversion workshops, both newly formed and which will emerge new workshops as well as the emergence of the rupiah-component industry that supports this conversion activity.

In addition, there is a potential for state savings in compensation for Pertalite subsidies of IDR 18.6 billion per year from the implementation of 50,000 conversions of electric motors.