Currently, the cost of converting a fossil fuel-based motor to an electric one can reach Rp15 million per unit, causing many to think twice about making the switch, special staff to the ministry, Sripeni Inten Cahyani, said here on Wednesday.
"The difficulty is compelling people to (convert to electric motors). They want to do it if the (conversion cost) is in the figure of Rp6–7 million," she added.
She said she believes that used motorbikes, which have been operational for many years, need to be standardized to enable efficient conversion so that type testing at the Transportation Ministry can run seamlessly.
"In addition, if they are not the same, the costs will not be uniform. So, it is important to be selected at the beginning," Cahyani explained.
The ministry is aiming to promote battery-based electric motors until their number reaches 6 million units by 2025, she informed. The target has been set to accelerate the clean energy transition program and suppress fuel oil imports and subsidies, which have been quite huge this year.
The ministry is also targeting the conversion of a thousand units of oil fuel-based motors to electric motors this year.
"There should have been one thousand (converted units) this year. However, this conversion vehicle requires a lot of effort. First, employing a certified workshop because here we are talking about safety. Second, technicians, who must meet the requirements of the Transportation Ministry’s Regulation Number 65 of 2020," she explained.
"Then is type testing. In addition, the target of one thousand units seems to be delayed due to (issues related to) the availability of materials, components, and chips, as well as budget availability," she said.
Related news: Ministry holds fossil-fuelled bike conversion training for MSMEs
The ministry is collaborating with small workshops (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to conduct training on motorcycle conversion. Cooperation with component manufacturers is also being pursued to obtain components at economical prices.
A pilot project for the conversion of 100 units of 10 motorcycle types was launched on August 17, 2021. The conversion was carried out in accordance with the Transportation Ministry’s Regulation Number 65 of 2020 concerning the conversion of conventional motorcycles to battery-based electric motorcycles.
The electric motorcycle passed the 10 thousand kilometer endurance test spanning 48 days, which involved traveling uphill, downhill, and through traffic jams, both in rainy and hot conditions.
With the success of the program, in 2022, the ministry is aiming to convert one thousand electric motorcycles, and has upped the target to 13 million electric motorcycles by 2030. This is part of the government's strategies to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
Related news: Ministry seeks to intensify electric motorcycle conversion program
Translator: Arnidhya Nur Z, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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