Pushing EV Adoption through Motorcycles Conversion

South Tangerang, 11 February 2022 – Indonesia has targeted 29% of carbon emission reduction by 2030 on its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Pushing electric vehicles (EV) industry growth is one of government’s intervention for attaining that target. Reality speaking, Indonesia as developing country is still on the early adopter stage for such technology. Hence, the EV adoption becomes one of the critical keys, since Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) crowned as the biggest carbon polluter.

Early this month, The Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resource (MEMR) aimed to have thousand combustion engine motorcycles converted to electric vehicles in 2022. It is such a milestone, after 2021 successfully converted 100 fuel-powered motorcycles into electric bikes under Center of Research and Development on Electricity Technology, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conversion (P3TEK KEBTKE), MEMR. The National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) visited that conversion workshop on Tuesday, 08 February 2022.

Why should combustion engine motorcycles? “Because motorcycles become our community commodity on transportation with the highest peak. We have 126 million unit at 2019 (8.4 % growth per annum). We can't let them become obsolete and waste amidst the EV domination,” said Mr. Arfie (a senior researcher at P3TEK KEBTKE). On the environment side, fuel powered-motorcycles produces 375.5-gram carbon emission per km. Therefore, the motorcycle conversion (IDR 15 million) becomes affordable strategy compared to new two wheels electric vehicles (IDR 27 million).

For conducting the conversion workshop, there are several administration processes should be done. Starts from workshop certification to roadworthy test by the Transportation Ministry according to the Minister of Transportation Regulation number 65/2020. Until this article was published, Indonesia only has four certified conversion workshops for conducting the conversion. PT Braja Elektrik Motor Surabaya, P3TEK KEBTKE of MEMR Bogor, PT Spora Teknika Indonesia Jakarta, and Elders Garage Jakarta.

Furthermore, the MEMR wants 13 million two wheelers converted by 2025. It is estimated to save IDR 319 trillion and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 65 million tons. Also, the conversion, potentially, will caused the trickle-down effect on economy. It will create potential sales of IDR 50 trillion for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) due to the opportunity for providing the necessary components for the conversion. (MWSM)

Date	:	11 February 2022
Written by	:	NBRI
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