A Series of Statements from Prabowo on Electric Sedan Car Production
President Prabowo Subianto stated that Indonesia will mass-produce electric-based sedan cars in 2028. The head of state conveyed this plan in his speech during the inauguration of the electric commercial vehicle assembly plant owned by PT VKTR Sakti Industries in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
“Indeed, our plan is that I hope in 2028 we will produce on a large scale electric sedan cars,” said Prabowo on Thursday, as broadcast via the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube.
When inaugurating the electric vehicle assembly plant owned by a subsidiary of the Bakrie Group, PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas, the head of state was accompanied by the State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, and the Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Here are several statements and promises from Prabowo regarding the development of the national electric vehicle industry:
Will Form a New Company for Electric Sedan Production
Prabowo targets Indonesia to be able to mass-produce electric sedan cars in 2028. To support this target, said Prabowo, the government is preparing the establishment of a company to produce electric sedan cars.
“We are also forming a company to produce sedans. Electric sedans,” stated Prabowo.
Claims Indonesia Will Surprise the World
Prabowo believes Indonesia will surprise the world. According to Prabowo, Indonesia is no longer a country whose potential has not been activated, like a giant that is still sleeping.
Prabowo stated that Indonesia is now beginning to wake from its sleep. “Next year we will create a surprise for the entire world. Indonesia is rising. This giant is waking up. We will not be anymore the sleeping giant. We are rising,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo is optimistic that Indonesia has various strengths to rise, from natural resources, technological capabilities, to government efforts to strengthen independence in various sectors. For Prabowo, Indonesia has vast resources, thus capable of facing various global challenges.
Alludes to the Indonesia Gelap Action
On the same occasion, the former defence minister stated that Indonesia has a bright future. He also alluded to the Indonesia Gelap action. Prabowo considers the group that promotes narratives of dissatisfaction with Indonesia’s conditions as not objective in assessing.
“Those who say (Indonesia) is not bright, who say Indonesia is dark, perhaps their eyes are not good, right. Their eyes and hearts. Well, what do we want to do, if a person’s heart is not sincere, their eyes are blurred, yes, Indonesia is dark,” said Prabowo.
Target for Indonesia Not to Import Fuel Oil in Three Years
Furthermore, Prabowo discussed energy independence. He believes Indonesia will not import fuel oil or BBM in the next three years. Prabowo set this target in line with the plan to transition from fossil energy to new renewable energy.
“Maybe in two-three years there will be no need to import BBM at all. We have great strength. We are serious, we will be independent, strong, and will stand on our own feet,” he said.
To reduce dependence on BBM while ensuring national energy independence, Prabowo targets the construction of solar power plants (PLTS) with a capacity of up to 100 gigawatts within two years.
He stated that the government is undergoing an energy transition through the development of new renewable energy to reduce imports and strengthen national energy resilience.
This electrification step will be followed by plans to close 13 diesel power plants (PLTD) owned by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN. “Later there will be no more power plants using diesel, using solar. No,” said Prabowo.