JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com \u2014 The Indonesian government\u2019s ambitious plan to\nconvert 120 million conventional petrol-powered motorcycles to electric\nmotorcycles continues to attract attention. This strategic move requires\na mature blueprint, not merely targets on paper. According to Bebin, the\nscale of a conversion programme that covers hundreds of millions of\nunits will not be effective if the process is centralised only in major\ncities or relies on a handful of modern workshops certified\nexclusively.<\/p>\n
\u2018For a target of 120 million, centralisation cannot work. Because the\nvehicles are spread across the archipelago, young people who have\ngraduated from vocational schools such as STM and at that level should\nbe able to carry it out and earn themselves an income,\u2019 Bebin told\nKompas.com recently.<\/p>\n
Beyond the readiness of mechanics in various regions, the biggest\nchallenge of this programme lies in the supply chain of components, such\nas batteries, hub-drive electric motors, and controllers. Bebin stressed\nthat the involvement of local suppliers and the private sector is\ncrucial to suppress production costs and avoid imposing a burden on\nlow-income communities.<\/p>\n
\u2018The private sector\u2019s involvement is also needed to obtain quality\nproducts at reasonable prices. The target market is consumers who cannot\nyet afford a new vehicle,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Economically, the majority of conventional motorcycle owners in\nIndonesia are price-sensitive. If conversion costs remain at or above\nthe price of second-hand motorcycles, the programme is unlikely to run\noptimally.<\/p>\n
Therefore, government intervention through incentives,\nstandardisation of core component prices, and cross-subsidies is key to\nthe success of the energy transition in the two-wheeled transport\nsector.<\/p>\n
\u2018In other words, the conversion cost must be genuinely cheap, but not\nwith shabby products. The government must support this, because\nultimately it will reduce petrol use,\u2019 he added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/plan-to-convert-120-million-motorcycles-costs-must-be-affordable-1779542299", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }