He made the remark here Tuesday in response to criticism stating that the subsidy for electric vehicles would not be effective as it would only exacerbate traffic jams and could cause more emissions.
"Electric vehicle (use) is basically (being pushed) to reduce emissions. As (part of the) global community, we have a commitment to reach zero emissions by 2060. This is an inseparable part of our efforts to pursue such a goal," he said.
He also pointed out that the development of the EV ecosystem can lead to the creation of significant job opportunities for Indonesians.
Such development will also put the nickel downstreaming initiative by the government to good use, he added.
“So, if we see the development of the EV industry, do not just look at one factor, but look at the factors as a whole. We have to see it that way because the ecosystem is what we form, as well as the benefits and goals I have mentioned before,” Kartasasmita remarked.
Some time ago, presidential candidate from the Coalition of Change, Anis Baswedan, had criticized the government's EV subsidy policy. He argued that a subsidy cannot be a solution to environmental problems such as air pollution, especially since EV owners are those who do not actually need such a subsidy.
Baswedan said that EVs generate more emissions per capita per kilometer compared to buses running on oil.
"How come? Because buses carry more people, whereas (electric) cars carry less," he explained.
He also recalled his experience as Jakarta governor. According to him, an ineffective subsidy would just make traffic jams worse.
“So, what should be encouraged in the future is the democratization of resources (instead); that we channel the state's resources through sectors which give tangible benefits to the general public, not just merely to get some attention on social media," he said.
Related news: First ASEAN EV, battery technology conference held in Bali
Related news: Two EV charging stations in Badung ready for use: PLN
Translator: Ade Irma Junida, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
