In Front Of The President, The President Director Of PLN Explains The Preparedness Of The Electric Vehicle Ecosystem

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (third from the left) during a visit to the 2024 Electric Vehicle Show (PEVS) Periclindo, at JIExpo, Kemayoran, May 3, 2024. (Doc. PLN)

JAKARTA - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the Booth of PT PLN (Persero) at the 2024 Periclindo Electric Vehicle Show (PEVS), at JIExpo Kemayoran.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo welcomed Jokowi directly, and conveyed PLN's readiness to support the development of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo revealed that PLN fully supports the Government's steps to build an EV ecosystem. In this case, PLN has started the construction of electric vehicle infrastructure such as the provision of charging stations spread across various regions.

To date, 1,370 units of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU), 9,886 Public Electric Charging Stations (SPLU) and 2,182 Public Electric Battery Exchange Stations (SPBKLU) have been recorded.

"PLN is also innovating to develop 2,000 SPKLU units on electric poles (Pole Mounted) spread throughout Indonesia," said Darmawan, quoted on Saturday, May 4.

In addition, Darmawan also explained the non-physical infrastructure that has been developed by PLN. In this case, PLN presents the EV Digital Services (EVDS) feature in PLN Mobile Super Apps.

Through this feature, PLN makes it easier for EV users to find out the whereabouts of the nearest charging station, test drive service, submits the installation of _home charging services, marketplaces to buy EVs, to arrange long travel plans. This Trip Planner menu will automatically provide recommendations for SPKLU points that are traversed according to the travel route.

The increasingly massive EV ecosystem support is reflected in the period of homecoming and the backflow of the Eid 1445 H holiday. Previously, SPKLU was only available at several rest areas on the Trans Sumatra-Java route. Currently, PLN ensures that all rest areas are available SPKLU.

"People's interest in using electric vehicles is increasing. Therefore, PLN answers that need by providing SPKLU facilities at every strategic point and all toll road rest on the homecoming route. The high public interest is reflected in the increasing number of SPKLU transactions and electricity consumption," continued Darmawan.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo said the PEVS electric vehicle exhibition could increase public interest in electric vehicles. He sees that the electric vehicle industry in the country has great potential and will continue to grow in the future.

This 'electric vehicle display (PEVS) is very interesting. I see that there are many types of vehicles, ranging from motorbikes to cars, even buses and trucks. For example, for electric motorized vehicles, our production capacity is 1.6 million per year. Currently, only around 100 thousand have been produced here, showing there are still great opportunities for further development, "said Jokowi

In addition, Jokowi stated the importance of developing supporting industries to support the electric vehicle ecosystem. The President emphasized that the closest target is the construction of a battery factory.

"Next month, the battery industry factory has started to produce. So we hope that this ecosystem will soon be built, soon to form. And we are also happy that now for electric motorcycles that produce here 59 factories. We really have to protect this big EV ecosystem building, there should be no obstacles," Jokowi added.