Electric Cars Sell, But Hybrids Are Much More Increasing

Photo Illustration: Antara

JAKARTA - The population of hybrid cars (combination of gasoline and electricity) will continue to increase and can reach 70 thousand units by the end of 2024. This was conveyed by the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Automotive Industry Association (GAIKINDO) Yohanes Nangoi.

"So if I look at it, maybe hybrid cars at the end of the year can reach around 65 thousand to 70 thousand units, meaning there is another increase," said Yohanes at ICE BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, Saturday, July 27.

Yohanes said hybrid car population data continues to increase every year. The number of low-emission vehicles recorded in 2022 was 10 thousand units, and it jumped dramatically in 2023 which touched 55 thousand units.

"Meanwhile, this year, the hybrid car population has reached almost 32 thousand units by May," he said.

Public awareness of the superiority of hybrid car efficiency in terms of fuel consumption is one of the main reasons the car is selling well in the market.

"Because the public has started to realize that the name hybrid car is more fossil fuel-efficient, and the exhaust gas emissions are better. The price is also starting to compete," said Yohanes.

Meanwhile, the growth of electric cars completely or Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), was not as fast as a hybrid car. Even so, Yohanes said the spread trend continued to increase from year to year.

He noted that sales of electric cars in 2022 reached 10 thousand, and 17 thousand units in 2023. Then until May 2024 sales of electric cars have reached 13 thousand units.

"My calculations are extrapolated, maybe by the end of the year it can reach 30 thousand units (BEV), quite good improvement, but indeed compared to hybrid, hybrid is much higher," he added.

Yohannes explained, one of the causes of the growth of electric cars that are not as fast as hybrid cars is the availability of infrastructure and the relatively high selling price.

"Why is that the first is that electric cars require special infrastructure, then the next is that the price is still higher than the usual car, and people are still paying attention first. But everything is getting better," said Yohanes.