"If we are not prepared, we will only be a potential market for foreign products. It is time for Indonesians to produce their own green car," State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan said.
Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan said he is looking forward to the success of the national electric car project as it is expected to boost imports from Indonesia in the future.

"If we are not prepared, we will only be a potential market for foreign products. It is time for Indonesians to produce their own green car. That is why we displayed the Indonesian-made electric car during APEC Leaders Meeting 2013 in Bali. We hope to attract some investors," said the minister.

Three electric cars have been displayed at the Bali Collection area in Nusa Dua, which is located near the venue of the APEC Leaders Meeting 2013.

It was earlier reported that the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) had produced various types of electric buses and city cars with models included judged at a scale seven of the nine levels of technology readiness. The technology center will become the main location for the design of electric auto components produced by Indonesians.

"The center will be under the direction of several government institutions, including the Research and Technology Ministry, Industry Ministry, Transportation Ministry and the Ministry of State-owned Enterprises," Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Radjasa said.

Meanwhile, Industry Minister M.S. Hidayat stated that Indonesia will continue to develop the electric automobile, but it will be developed in stages because of the many obstacles that must be overcome.

"Indonesia still faces constraints in the development of environmentally friendly cars. The obstacles include the availability of technology for a light car battery that can store electricity for a relatively long time, and a charger that can recharge a battery in a relatively short period of time," he said.

The other problem is that of overall electricity supply, since the need for power will increase if electric automobiles are manufactured, though electricity is still subsidized by the government.

Therefore, he said, the development of electric cars is likely to take place in stages and made available in certain areas, such as cluster housing regions.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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