Accelerating The Conversion Of Fuel Motors To Electricity, The Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Cooperates With PLN And Pertamina

The signing of a memorandum of understanding to collaborate to accelerate the conversion of oil-fueled motorcycles (BBM) to electric motorcycles. (Doc of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), PT PLN (Persero) and PT Pertamina (Persero) signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate to accelerate the conversion of oil-fueled motorcycles (BBM) to electric motorcycles.

This step is intended to accelerate the clean energy transition, reduce imports and subsidies for fuel oil (BBM), and save foreign exchange.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, represented by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ego Syahrial, said the government continues to boost the use of battery-based electric vehicles in the country. The target is to have 6 million electric motors in operation by 2025.

"We strongly encourage this conversion. Through the cooperation agreed today, it is hoped that the target of 6 million electric motorcycles in Indonesia in 2025 can be fulfilled immediately," said Ego in his remarks, Friday, June 24.

This year, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will convert 1,000 units of BBM motors to electric motors. It is targeted that there will be 13 million electric motors from new and converted electric motors by 2030.

Ego hopes that this program can be an attraction to encourage the growth of an independent electric motor vehicle industry in Indonesia. In addition, the increasing public interest in electric vehicles can also increase the competitiveness of the domestic industry.

Present on the occasion, President Director of PLN Darmawan Prasodjo stated that PLN was ready to support the program for converting fuel motors to electric motors to accelerate the formation of an electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia and accelerate the achievement of the Carbon Neutral target by 2060.

“This conversion is also a step for us to be more independent in energy security. Because it moves from import-based energy to domestic-based energy," said Darmawan.

He said that this year PLN has prepared 400 units of electric motors that will be used as operational vehicles. This is also one of PLN's ways to campaign for electric motors to the public.

"Because this motorbike will continue to circle, there is a logo of PLN and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. That this will be seen by many people and the cost will go down. So that it can attract people's attention," said Darmawan.

He also said that using electric vehicles could reduce carbon emissions. Given that one of the largest contributions of carbon emissions today comes from the transportation sector.

“Emissions of 1 liter of fuel are lower than electricity, carbon emissions are lower than electricity. For that, we strongly support this program as one of the steps to reduce carbon emissions," added Darmawan.

In addition to being actively involved in converting fuel motors to electric motors, PLN also ensures that the electrical infrastructure to support electric vehicles in Indonesia is available.

PLN support through the provision of electricity infrastructure through public electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU), general electric vehicle battery exchange stations (SPBKLU) and Home Charging Stations. Until May 2022, PLN has provided 90 SPBKLU units to make it easier for electric motorbike owners to charge. Meanwhile for SPKLU, PLN has presented 129 SPKLU units consisting of SPKLU Fast Charging and Ultra Fast Charging spread over 98 points.

"This year, PLN has allocated funds to add 40 SPKLU units to make it easier for people to fill their electric vehicles," he said.

For a long time, PLN has also built public electricity supply stations (SPLU) at strategic public points.

"We also provide many incentives with discounts on added power for electric vehicle owners and also a 30 percent discount on electricity consumption at night," said Darmawan.

The steps taken by PLN are an effort to support emission reductions and provide a better life.