Without Subsidies, Blue Bird Prepares Rp2 Trillion To Add Fleet Including Electric Vehicles

Blue Bird Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

PT Blue Bird Tbk has prepared a capital expenditure (capex) of IDR 2 trillion for the addition of 6,000 new vehicles this year. Both for conventional cars, electric cars, and vehicle rejuvenation.

Deputy President Director of PT Blue Bird Tbk, Adrianto Djokosoetono said specifically for electric vehicles, currently Blue Bird has around 100 units. This year, his party is targeting an addition of around 200 to 500 units of the fleet.

"The target is 200 to 500 units, it buys everything new, not a convention," he said when met at the Blue Bird Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 21.

Andre, Adrianto's nickname, admitted that the implementation of subsidies for electric vehicles starting March 2023, was not expected by Blue Bird. This is because the company has prepared a budget to add electric vehicles this year.

"We haven't calculated whether there is a subsidy or not, but we have prepared a budget for electric vehicles," he said.

Previously, it was reported that the government would impose subsidies on electric vehicles starting March 2023. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif said that later the subsidies given to cars were not in the form of money.

"In the past, there were four-wheeled vehicles but not money," said Arifin in Jakarta, Monday, February 20.

Arifin said this was the result of a coordination meeting with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Minister of Transportation today.

For the initial stage, this subsidy will be applied to two-wheeled vehicles or motorcycles. Meanwhile, for the amount of subsidies for electric motors, Rp. 7 million will be given either for conversion motors or for the purchase of new motorbikes.

"To help people to have electric motorcycles, either convert or new, at a cheaper cost," added Arifin.

Arifin said that the provision of this subsidy aims to suppress fuel imports which are increasing from year to year and reduce vehicle emissions due to fossil fuels.