VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The presence of electric cars is believed to be driving vehicle fuel diversification from BBM (fuel oil) to electricity which has a significant impact on air quality. Not only that, the presence of electric cars will also reduce the volume of fuel imports.

"Because of this strategic value, the Government continues to encourage the use of electric vehicles that have low emissions to be able to compete with conventional vehicles," ESDM Minister Ignasius Jonan said after commemorating the 49th Earth Day at the Geology Museum, Bandung, Saturday (27/4).

On the occasion Jonan had the opportunity to test a crossover electric car called EVHERO and the V8 VADI Sportcar, made by the Bandung Institute of Technology (Itenas).

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources admitted, the biggest challenge for electric cars is the price problem. "If the price of an electric car is Rp 1.5 billion, who wants to buy it, or Rp 750 million, who can buy it, that's twice the price (type car) of the deer," he said.

However, electric cars are very necessary because fuel consumption continues to increase along with the growth in the number of motorized vehicles as well as the strengthening of highway infrastructure. According to Jonan, in the future it is difficult to balance the increase in demand or fuel consumption. One way to reduce fuel imports or import crude oil is by electric cars.

"All primary energy sources for electricity generation are all in the country such as coal, sun, natural gas, geothermal, wind and water. Everything is there and is owned by Indonesia, so that the import of fuel keeps getting higher every day. Our job is to control the import of BBM in a measurable capacity, because if not, the longer it gets higher, "explained Jonan.

Regarding the availability of the General Electric Charging Station (SPLU) for charging electric cars, Minister Jonan ensured that it would be fulfilled because according to Jonan, currently installed electricity reserves were more than 30% and providing SPLU for PLN as well as selling ordinary electricity. (setkab-esdm)