When people use electric vehicles, they also actively contribute to attempts to reduce carbon emissions.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry has continued to strive to promote the program for converting conventional motorcycles into electric motorbikes to accelerate the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia.

ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif said the conversion program could encourage the growth of new industries in the country, considering that local industries have been able to manufacture transmissions and electric motor components.

"Indonesia still imports crude oil and fuel because our oil sources are quite old and the production (of the commodity) is declining. But, if we can replace it (fossil fuel) with electricity, it can save the budget," he said in a statement received here on Thursday.

He attended an electric vehicle parade held by state-run electricity provider PT PLN (Persero) in Nusa Dua, Bali province, on Thursday, along with president director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, and Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster.

At least 77 electric motorcycles, 20 of which were converted motorbikes, participated in the parade.

"Through the parade, we want to show the world our commitment to the energy transition issue. Now is the era of electric vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly and cheaper," the president director of PT PLN remarked.

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The conversion of the 20 motorbikes by the ministry was supported by the PLN Electricity Maintenance Center. The vehicles were physically inspected by the Traffic Division of Bali Regional Police.

"We involve vocational students and local workshops such as Percik, (and) Makara EV who are members of the Dewata Electric Vehicle Association (DEVA) community," Prasodjo informed.

The parade was among efforts to invite people to switch to electric vehicles to help reduce carbon emissions. It also aimed to show that the 2022 G20 event in Bali province is fully supported by environmentally friendly vehicles.

The president director of PT PLN said that one liter of fuel produces 2.4 kilograms of carbon emissions, while 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity only produces 0.85 kilograms of emissions.

"When people use electric vehicles, they also actively contribute to attempts to reduce carbon emissions," he added.

PT PLN, as the frontliner in the energy transition process, is committed to continuing to support massive infrastructure development, including constructing more public electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLUs) as well as general electric vehicle battery exchange stations (SPBKLUs) across Indonesia, he said.

"Currently, we have operated 143 SPKLU units throughout Indonesia. Especially in Bali, we have also readied ultra-fast charging SPKLUs to support the G20 Summit as the delegates will use electric vehicles," he added.

PT PLN has also prepared supporting infrastructure, such as cloud, home-charging, ultra-fast, and fast-charging SPKLUs to prepare Indonesia for the switch from fuel-based to electricity-based vehicles.

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Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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