The Indonesian government wants to convert old motorcycles to electric. (Image via Kompas Otomotif)

Indonesian Government 'desperately' aims to convert old vehicles to electrical

The Indonesian government wants its transportation to run on an eco-friendlier fuel. Through its Ministry of Industry, the Indonesian government wants to accelerate the domestic production of electric vehicles, aiming to realize a cleaner environment in Indonesian metropolises, such as Jakarta and the future capital in East Kalimantan.

Director-General of Maritime, Transportation, and Security Equipment under Industry Ministry, Putu Juli Ardika, explained that besides the production of new vehicles, the Indonesian government also aims to modify old-fashioned motorcycles into electric vehicles.

The idea emerged after looking at the massive old, eco-unfriendly motorcycles in Indonesia.

Speaking on Wednesday at the 2020 Indonesia Modification Expo, Putu said that the current Indonesian vehicles generate high carbon emission with low security. Therefore, the Transporation Ministry wants to modify these vehicles to go electric while preparing the standards.

Putu revealed that the segment aimed by the Indonesian government in the upcoming program is old motorcycles without/with expired official insurance from the dealer. However, the conversion from old motorcycle to electric vehicles need a supporting industry.

However, electric vehicles have three main components: battery, electric motor, and converter/power control unit. Since Indonesia has the raw material to produce battery, Putu said that the Transporation Ministry wants to rely on local component providers.

Regarding the standardization of oil fuel motorcycle to electric motorcycle conversion, Putu said that the government will issue the regulation in time. Putu only said that the faster, the better.

Source: https://bit.ly/3992hRx