MTI Calls Electric Vehicle Subsidy More Suitable For General Transportation

Electric bus belonging to Perum Damri (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) considers that electric vehicle subsidies are more suitable for public transportation than private vehicles.

This subsidy budget can be directed to electrify public transportation, starting from large, small buses to mini buses.

Chairman of MTI Tory Damantoro explained that the procurement of buses in five metropolitan cities requires around 200 fleets.

He said, if an electrification of public transportation is carried out, it will only require a budget of around Rp. 2.3 trillion.

"The government has prepared around Rp. 2 trillion for subsidies for electric vehicles. If we trace the government's plan to build public transportation in 5 metropolitan cities, the last note is that MTI needs 200 electric buses, now if everyone uses electric buses, it will only take Rp. 2.3 trillion," said Tory in the 2023 MTI Year End Note, in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 27.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Environmental and Energy Transportation Forum, MTI Indira Darmoyono, admitted that he did not recommend that the subsidy of electric vehicles be directed to private vehicles.

The reason is, so far the congestion that is still happening in big cities in Indonesia is sourced from private vehicles.

Indira said the more private vehicles, the more congestion it might still happen. Even if it is an environmentally friendly electric vehicle.

According to Indira, the thing that needs to be done is to invite the public to switch to using public transportation.

Therefore, he considered, subsidies for electric vehicles are better to be directed to public transportation.

"If the level of personal use is high (including electric vehicles) it will still create traffic jams, the truth is to move people to public transportation," said Indira.