Minister Of Energy And Mineral Resources Reveals Electric Conversion Activities Will Move The Wheel Of The Economy

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif in his speech said that Indonesia needs to convert electric motorcycles, considering its very large population, reaching 120 million units throughout Indonesia.

"Indonesia needs to convert this, we at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Transportation focus on two-wheeled burning motorcycles whose population is more than 120 million more with a growth trend showing 5-6 percent every year," he said at the Office of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Friday, July 28.

Arifin further said that this conversion activity will move the wheels of the economy because of the large transaction value. In addition, it will also encourage infrastructure development, especially for electric vehicle battery charging networks.

"The value that will be recorded in the transaction is around Rp. 900 to Rp. 1,000 trillion. If it is only conversion. Then, other economic activities, infrastructure development, especially for electric vehicle charging networks. Then, PLN will also increase the electricity capacity, which we expect to use New and Renewable Energy. In this case, solar panels will become a mainstay. People can also install solar panels to the roofs of their own homes, so that they will provide saving benefits. Because by using electrical energy for these batteries, compared to fuel costs, there will be more than 50 percent savings," explained Arifin.

Arifin also hopes that in the future Indonesia will have its own electric motorcycle industry.

Because Indonesia already has natural resources that are the material for making batteries. He also wants an electric vehicle ecosystem.

"There will definitely be entrepreneurs who will take advantage of our energy sources. How can we assemble batteries, how do we assemble electric motors. There will be a new chassis industry, we have an iron ore industry. So what we hope is that the long-term ecosystem will be formed. We will be proud of our own products. We foster people who have the ability," he added.

As of July 27, 2023, there were 4,578 conversion applicants who registered through digital platforms. Statistically, 94 percent is located in Java.

In this opening ceremony, a Joint Decree (SKB) was signed between the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources - Minister of Transportation - the Head of the Indonesian National Police regarding the Acceleration of Motorcycle Conversion Program Services by Motorbike Drivers to Battery-Based Electric Motorcycles.

The Initial Electric Motorcycle Conversion Activity will convert 100 units of fuel motorcycles into electric motorcycles. The number of workshops participating in this activity is 7 workshops out of a total of 24 certified conversion workshops. It is hoped that by the end of August 2023, all motorbikes will be completed in the conversion process, the process of testing and changing vehicle documents.