"We will support the procurement of official cars or four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles. We will start using electric vehicles gradually," Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria stated here on Thursday.
The use of battery electric vehicles is expected to reduce the consumption of fuel oil, thereby becoming more environmentally friendly, Patria remarked.
However, he did not furnish details on the extent of budget allocation for the procurement of battery-powered electric vehicles in Jakarta.
Nonetheless, the deputy governor emphasized that the Jakarta provincial government had started implementing the use of electric vehicles in the bus rapid transit system, TransJakarta.
Currently, some 30 electric buses are plying on some TransJakarta routes, and the figure was targeted to reach 100 by 2022-end.
Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had issued an instruction for official vehicles of central and regional governments to shift to the electric versions.
Through his Presidential Instruction, Jokowi instructed regional heads to draft and establish a regulation to support acceleration of the use of electric vehicles as well as preparation of the budget allocation.
Furthermore, through the instruction, regional-owned enterprises (BUMDs) are encouraged to increase the use of battery electric vehicles.
It also stipulates to conduct synergy and supervision for each work unit and region to monitor developments pertaining to the use of electric vehicles as official vehicles.
Presidential Instruction No. 7 of 2022 also encourages state electricity firm PT PLN and state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina to synergize with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to set up supporting infrastructures, such as public electric vehicle charging stations and battery swap stations at airports, toll road rest areas, tourism areas, and also gas stations.
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Translator: Dewa W, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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