To this end, the ministry may need two years to introduce EV to the public while supporting the EV industry to become fully operational in the country, the minister explained.
"We need a certain time period, let's say two years, to introduce the electric vehicle in order to increase the number of its users," Sumadi remarked after attending a meeting with Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Wiranto at his office in Jakarta.
Sumadi has pinned high hopes on Indonesia not only serving as an EV consumer but also becoming a manufacturer. Related news: Indonesian-made electric cars can be competitively priced: President
"We seek to produce EV battery in order to make it less expensive. If necessary, we may use cobalt as a raw material for battery," he stated.
Moreover, the ministry also pointed to the difficulty in finding EV chargers in Indonesia that will desist people from purchasing EV.
However, the minister noted that several public transportation operators had already utilized electric-based vehicles and buses in line with the president's instructions on EV that was issued this year.
"Some operators, such as application-based ride hailing services Go-jek and Grab and a taxi operator Blue Bird, had used EVs," Sumadi noted.
President Joko Widodo had issued Instruction No. 55 of 2019 on Battery Electric Vehicle Program for Road Transportation on Aug 5.
EDITED BY INE
Related news: Pertamina supports development of electric cars in Indonesia
Translator: Zuhdiar Laeis/Genta Tenri Mawa
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
