"The development of electric cars last year got an incredible response from the community. Therefore, the President has expressed his desire that electric cars be developed for public transportation," Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad H
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for the development of electric-powered public transport to improve the nation`s transportation system, according to Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta.

"The development of electric cars last year got an incredible response from the community. Therefore, the President has expressed his desire that electric cars be developed for public transportation," he said here on Thursday.

Gusti noted that a private company in Gresik, East Java, would also start producing electric-powered vehicles in May this year.

"I have also heard that now there are electric pedicabs or becaks," he said, adding that President Yudhoyono called for allocation of additional funds for the development of electric cars.

"However, we have a technological handicap; we have not yet produced the right kind of battery that is necessary for the development of electric cars," Gusti pointed out.

He said his ministry and other related parties would step up efforts to manufacture a small but long-lasting and powerful battery for such cars.

In July last year, Minister for State Enterprises Dahlan Iskan said the mass production of electric cars in Indonesia was expected to begin in 2013.

However, he noted at the time that certain regulations needed to be put in place before mass production could begin, because electric cars do not use any oil or gas.

"Regulations, such as on motor vehicle license, tax and certificate of ownership, are needed," Dahlan said after test-driving an electric car from its workshop in Depok to the office of the Research and Technology Minister in Jakarta, covering a distance of some 25 kilometres.

He stated that President Yudhoyono strongly encouraged the production of electric cars and had asked the industry, trade and research and technology ministers to prepare the draft regulations.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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