Ensure Election Of Electric Vehicles, Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources In Review Of Pertamina's Green Energy Station In Bali

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif together with Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati while reviewing the SPBKLU in Bali. (Photo: Doc. Antara/Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)

JAKARTA - To ensure the readiness of Pertamina's downstream infrastructure to support the needs of electric vehicles in Bali Province, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif accompanied by Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati inspected the Green Energy Station (GES), which is also Pertamina's Public Electric Vehicle Battery Distribution Station (SPBKLU) located in Denpasar, Bali.

The operation of this gas station, according to Arifin, will encourage the evolution of motorized vehicles, from using fuel oil, to being electric fuel, which is cleaner for the environment and cost-effective, because electricity costs will also be more competitive.

"This is the evolution of motorized vehicles, which were previously fueled and electrified, clean and environmentally efficient. Their electricity costs are also getting more and more competitive. Because now (business entities) are competing to grow a business, such as diesel panels that are getting cheaper," said Arifin in his statement, Wednesday, August 31.

On the other hand, continued Arifin, if you continue to use fossil fuels, it will be even more expensive. Not to mention that in the future, it will be subject to a carbon tax.

"So indeed we have to switch to renewable clean energy, which is indeed the source in nature," Arifin added.

Given the growing need, Arifin also encouraged the participation of all parties to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles towards national efficiency.

"So indeed anyone can come, how can we encourage the demand for electric vehicles. From the fuel cost side," he explained.

PT Pertamina (Persero) itself is committed to increasing the construction of GES, namely solar and environmentally friendly gas station innovation, which currently amounts to about 300 units at the end of the year. Pertamina President Director Nicke Widyawati said Pertamina would increase its EBT source both upstream, refinery, and downstream, according to the energy mix target.

For the electric vehicle ecosystem, Nicke said Pertamina is starting development on the downstream side and starting with two-wheeled vehicles.

"Our concept is to sell swap batteries to make it easier for motorcyclists, to get their scale in. In Bali, we work with Grab for the development of this ecosystem. If this ecosystem has been built, it will automatically provide convenience to people who will switch to using electric vehicles," said Nicke.

In terms of costs, Arifin emphasized that the use of electric vehicles will benefit motorists compared to the use of fuel.

"The cost of fuel if using fuel is Rp. 30,000 per day, but if you use battery swaps, it's only Rp. 10,000 per day, it's all day. Grab has also provided packages such as leasing, so Grab partners spend money (renting an electric motorbike) per day of Rp. 60,000, in three years motorcycles are owned by motorists," concluded Arifin.