Luhut Affirms The Importance Of Long-Term And Sustainable Commitment For The Ecosystem Of Electric Vehicles

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, while attending the launch of the retired Battery Asset Management Services (BAMS) platform in Jakarta, Monday (12/6). (Doc. ANTARA/Ahmad Faishal)

JAKARTA - The electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia is currently experiencing rapid development in line with the government's efforts to achieve the net zero emission target by 2060. This is a long-term commitment that must be carried out sustainably.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that achieving this target is not a task that can be completed in just one presidential leadership period. He emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity and collaboration between leaders to achieve this vision.

"What is important is progress. This can not only be resolved by one president, but may involve several presidents. What is important is that we maintain coordination together. Not just a dream, but make real changes," said Luhut, citing his statement reported by ANTARA on Monday, June 12.

The Indonesian government has started various vehicle electrification programs and is currently launching an assistance program for the community to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Luhut also gave an example of the importance of developing electric vehicles through new investments in the aluminum industry in East Java which requires an energy supply of 4 gigawatts. Indonesia has the potential for clean or green energy of 437 gigawatts, while the current excess electricity supply reaches 5.2 gigawatts.

He added, with an excess of 5 gigawatts of electricity from PLN (State Electricity Company), almost all of them can be absorbed so that next year there will be no excess electricity supply anymore. This will provide financial benefits for PLN.

"Imagine, last year we experienced difficulties because PLN had to pay a subsidy of 47 trillion rupiah due to an excess electricity supply of 5.2 gigawatts. If this excess can be used and absorbed, then we can save 47 trillion rupiah," said Luhut.

Luhut also reiterated that electric vehicles are not only related to the vehicle itself, but also involve the entire supporting ecosystem that plays a role in the development of electric vehicles. This is done as an effort to achieve the target of 10 percent of electric vehicles from the total population realized by 2030.

"So, this project is sustainable, there can't be one term for the president to finish, it won't be. This is a long term, so we all have to be united. This nation will progress if we do. If there are accusations, this will make changes to new things, don't be strange, it's normal. What young Indonesians have made now has to run, it can't be delayed," concluded Luhut firmly.