130 Vocational Schools in East Java Develop Electric Vehicles Based on Fuel Conversion
Surabaya (ANTARA) - As many as 130 vocational secondary schools (SMKs) in East Java are developing electric vehicles based on conversions from petroleum fuel (BBM), which were exhibited during the commemoration of National Education Day (Hardiknas) 2026 at the Negara Grahadi Building in Surabaya.
“Extraordinary. The SMK students in East Java have proven that they possess competencies, creativity, and technological capabilities that are highly commendable,” said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in Surabaya on Friday.
According to Khofifah, these electric vehicles are not merely school practical works but already demonstrate quality ready to compete and meet the future needs of the automotive industry.
She assessed that the development of electric vehicles is a strategic step in supporting the acceleration of the use of environmentally friendly energy while reducing dependence on fossil energy.
“In my view, this becomes a motivator for the spirit of how to move towards Net Zero Emission 2060. How we convert energy from fossil to non-fossil. And it starts from the SMK children, I think this is really cool,” she said.
She explained that the electric vehicle works were deliberately exhibited at the Hardiknas momentum to show the capabilities and creativity of SMK students in East Java to the wider public while encouraging synergy with the industrial world.
“What’s interesting is that the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) of these electric vehicles has averaged 50 per cent. Only a few specific components are still imported,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the East Java Education Office, Aries Agung Paewai, said that the Hardiknas momentum also serves as a space to demonstrate student learning outcomes that are relevant to industrial needs.
“This is real proof that our students’ skills and competencies are no less than those produced by industry. What the students make is no longer just practical tools, but can already be used by the market,” said Aries.
He explained that out of a total of 481 automotive vocational SMKs in East Java, 130 schools have developed electric vehicles, either in the form of new vehicles or conversions from BBM to electric.
According to Aries, several SMKs have even received requests from companies to carry out conversions of BBM vehicles to electric vehicles, thus opening up great opportunities for the development of vocational education.
In the exhibition, several schools displaying electric vehicles included SMK Wijaya Putra Surabaya, SMK Darma Siswa 1 Sidoarjo, SMK Antartika 1 Sidoarjo, SMK Krian 2 Sidoarjo, and SMK Senopati Sedati Sidoarjo.