JAKARTA \u2014 The government\u2019s ambition to accelerate the conversion of\nmotor vehicles from petroleum fuels to electric power continues to draw\nscrutiny. Although touted as a solution to congestion and pollution,\nthis step is seen as not addressing the root of the national energy\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
Transportation observer from the Institute for Transportation Studies\n(Instran), Ki Darmaningtyas, views the target of converting 100 million\npetrol motorcycles to electric as appearing more like a business project\nthan a real effort in energy efficiency.<\/p>\n
According to Darmaningtyas, if the government is truly serious about\nreducing national petroleum fuel consumption, the main focus should not\nbe shifting the type of energy in private vehicles, but rather shifting\nthe public to mass transportation.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that strengthening public transport fleets in various\nregions is the main key that has been neglected for a long time.<\/p>\n
He added that society\u2019s dependence on private vehicles, whether\npetrol-based or electric, can only be broken if there is a viable\nalternative. Comfort and safety are non-negotiable for public transport\nservices.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf in every region there is good, comfortable, and safe public\ntransport, people will naturally switch from private vehicles to public\ntransport, especially if fuel prices are high,\u201d said Darmaningtyas.<\/p>\n
The world is currently overshadowed by energy price uncertainty due\nto global geopolitical conflicts. However, Darmaningtyas reminded that\nnational transportation policies should not be merely reactive or\n\u201cseasonal\u201d during global crises like wars.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I think the government must already think, must change its\nmindset, not create projects but address problems fundamentally. As long\nas the thinking is just about projects, the problems will keep\nrecurring,\u201d he stated firmly.<\/p>\n
He sees a tendency for the spirit of energy saving to only emerge\nwhen world oil prices surge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just because there\u2019s a war, later after the war subsides,\nthe enthusiasm to discuss energy saving fades again. Whereas actually,\ndiscussions on energy saving must be continuous, because our petroleum\nreserves are indeed limited,\u201d said Darmaningtyas.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that the existence of integrated public transport is no\nlonger just an option, but a strategic necessity for Indonesia\u2019s\nlong-term energy resilience.<\/p>\n
The government is urged to look far ahead beyond the production\nfigures for electric vehicles that are currently the darling of\npolicy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, whether there\u2019s a war or not, we should already be thinking in a\nmore strategic direction, namely energy saving through the development\nof public transport,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/not-electric-motorcycle-conversion-city-buses-deemed-more-sensible-1776217853", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }