Jokowi Calls Electric Cars A Solution To Save The State Budget While Reducing Fuel Imports

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that electric vehicles are part of the grand design of the energy transition from fossil energy to new and renewable energy.

This was conveyed by the Head of State during the Inauguration of the First Ultra Fast Charging General Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU) to support the vehicle operations of the delegations of the G20 participating countries.

President Jokowi said that currently people's dependence on fuel oil (BBM) and fossil energy is getting higher. In addition, most of the domestic fuel needs are still imported.

"(It) burdens our state budget, burdens the current account deficit and trade balance deficit," said President Jokowi when inaugurating the SPKLU Ultra fast charging in Bali, Friday, March 25.

Jokowi said that this condition should not be allowed to remain for long. Indonesia must find a way to achieve energy independence.

One way to prove Indonesia's commitment to energy transition is by using electric cars during the G20 Summit.

"The G20 presidency is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate our various commitments to reducing CO2 emissions," he said.

President Jokowi added that this, as well as a showcase for the state of Indonesia, became a leading country in the development of electric vehicles.

"Starting from upstream in the battery industry and other component industries. To downstream, in the preparation of SPKLU and home charging. We show the world that the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia is growing and developing rapidly," concluded Jokowi.

On the same occasion, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated PLN's readiness to support the conversion of fuel vehicles to electricity. The implementation of this conversion can reduce fuel subsidies in the APBN, save foreign exchange and create national energy independence.

"Previously using fuel-based vehicles that came from fossils and were expensive (imported), now they are replaced by electric vehicles that are cheaper and produce domestic energy," he explained.

Not only that, this program is part of the clean energy transition effort to achieve the net zero emission target by 2060.

According to PLN's calculations, the implementation of this policy has the potential to secure the country's foreign exchange of IDR 2.044 trillion in the same year.

"We emphasize that the electric vehicle ecosystem is not just a business, but the most important thing is that this conversion will reduce carbon emissions, which means providing hope for a cleaner living space for our children and grandchildren," said Darmawan.

To support the electric vehicle ecosystem, PLN is increasingly aggressively adding refueling facilities for electric vehicles in the country. As of February 2022, a total of 267 SPKLUs have operated nationwide in 195 locations. As for the total SPKLU owned by PLN as many as 120 units and spread over 92 locations.

By the end of 2022, PLN is targeting to be able to provide 4.900 general electric vehicle battery exchange stations (SPBKLU) and 580 SPKLU to make it easier for electric vehicle users.

Specifically, to support the G20 Summit, especially related to the showcase of Indonesia's readiness to present an electric vehicle ecosystem, PLN provided 60 SPKLU ultra-fast charging 200-kilo watts (kW) with an investment of IDR 72.84 billion.

The SPKLU ultra-fast charging serves as a medium for charging 656 electric vehicles that will operate during the G20 Summit.

"With the 200 kW ultra-fast charging SPKLU, charging electric vehicles only takes less than 30 minutes for 1 vehicle," he explained.

In addition to the ultra-fast charging SPKLU, PLN has also built 21 fast charging SPKLU units and provides support in providing 150 home charging units. On the other hand, the power source used by the SPKLU ultra-fast charging and home charging already has a renewable energy certificate (REC).