The funds for research were drawn from the state budget, he revealed on the sidelines of the 15th Effective Technology Expo at the H Agus Salim sports stadium.
The ministry was also planning to conduct research to produce electricity-based public transport cars, Hatta stated.
He said that only one out of five key technologies, namely the battery technology, was yet to fully mastered for producing such cars.
"Research is still continuing to help produce small batteries capable of storing large power," he said.
The Hevina bus` battery is currently able to store currents, which are enough to drive for 115 kilometers, Hatta pointed out.
The government was also gearing up to produce electrical buses en masse starting 2016, he said, adding that the buses will use local technology and spare parts.
"If we import their batteries, we can produce them sooner," Hatta noted.
He expressed hope that the development of low-cost and green cars (LCGCs) would be able to reduce air pollution and fuel consumption.
Reporting by Ikhwan Wahyudi
(INE/H-YH)
EDITED BY INE
(KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
