Acceleration of B50 Implementation: KAI Strengthens Testing to Maintain Safety, Service, and Sustainability
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has set the mandatory implementation of B50 biodiesel, which will be enforced simultaneously across all sectors in Indonesia starting 1 July 2026. This policy forms part of strengthening national energy sovereignty while promoting the use of more sustainable energy.
As part of the national transportation system, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) is preparing measures to ensure the readiness of facilities and operations, particularly for diesel-based locomotives, while maintaining service quality and journey safety.
KAI Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, stated that the implementation of B50 is a continuation of biodiesel utilisation in previous stages that has run consistently in the railway sector.
“KAI continues to utilise more environmentally friendly energy through biodiesel. In every stage, journey safety and service quality to customers remain the top priority,” said Anne.
In 2025, the use of B40 biodiesel in Long-Distance Train services recorded total carbon emissions of 127,315,192 kg CO₂e, or about 127.3 thousand tonnes, from 47.4 million passengers. Entering 2026, this sustainability trend continues. Up to the first quarter of 2026, the volume of Long-Distance Train passengers was recorded at 14,515,350 passengers, with estimated emissions of around 38.9 thousand tonnes CO₂e, which remains controlled alongside the consistent use of biodiesel-based fuel.
On the same mobility scale, the use of private vehicles has the potential to produce far higher emissions. The average emission per private vehicle journey can reach about 36–45 kg CO₂ per passenger for medium distances, while trains are around 2.7 kg CO₂ per passenger. This shows that using trains can reduce emissions by about 90 percent per journey.
With that passenger volume, train usage is estimated to have contributed to a potential emission reduction of around 480 to 610 thousand tonnes CO₂e compared to if the journeys were made using private vehicles.
In supporting the B50 implementation, KAI collaborates with the government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and LEMIGAS (Oil and Gas Agency) in a series of phased testing.
Testing is conducted starting from the fuel mixing process in mid-April 2026, followed by facility condition checks, to fuel usage testing on locomotives at the Sidotopo Depot.
At the same time, testing is also carried out on generator cars at the Yogyakarta Train Depot. The testing series begins with initial inspections, followed by using B40 as a comparison, then using B50 to observe facility performance, up to endurance testing under high load conditions.
The next phase involves longer-term testing to ensure facility performance remains maintained in daily operations.
To date, all testing results are still in the evaluation stage and continue to be monitored to ensure long-term suitability.
“KAI ensures this acceleration process runs in line with field readiness. Through collaboration with the government and phased testing, we are committed to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation services,” Anne concluded.