Biodiesel B50 Officially in Effect, KAI Confirms All Diesel Assets Are Ready
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), known as KAI, has ensured that all diesel assets are ready to implement B50 biodiesel. Vice President of Corporate Communication at KAI, Anne Purba, stated that this readiness encompasses locomotives and power cars, which are vital components of diesel-based railway operations.
“KAI’s readiness aligns with the B50 biodiesel mandate, which the government began implementing on 1 July 202lag,” said Anne in a written statement in Jakarta on Thursday (2/7/2026).
Anne noted that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has established the implementation of B50 alongside a three-month transition period to allow for field adjustments, including the management of existing stocks and the process of moving towards full B50 usage. KAI, she continued, supports the government’s policy to strengthen the use of plant-based energy derived from domestic resources.
“This support is demonstrated through the readiness of our assets, technical field trials, and the reinforcement of safety and operational reliability aspects,” said Anne.
Anne emphasised that all KAI locomotives and diesel assets are ready to implement B50 following technical trials and the strengthening of operational safety aspects.
This readiness, according to Anne, was reinforced through field trials conducted alongside the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on diesel-based railway assets. The testing was carried out to ensure that the use of B50 is compatible with the operational characteristics of the trains, both for locomotives and power cars.
For locomotives, the testing focused on observing engine response when using B50 during train operation patterns. She stated that monitoring was conducted on engine performance, combustion stability, fuel consumption, and the condition of key components to ensure assets remain reliable while serving passengers.
For power cars, testing involved inspecting generator set performance, fuel consumption, emissions, filter conditions, and operational durability. This stage is crucial as power cars play a role in maintaining the electricity supply to support passenger comfort during journeys.
“The use of B50 in railway assets requires measured technical readiness. Therefore, KAI is conducting testing, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure its implementation remains aligned with railway operational safety standards,” said Anne.
From a sustainability perspective, Anne stated that the implementation of B50 strengthens KAI’s contribution to the national energy transition agenda. Increasing the biodiesel blend helps expand the use of domestic renewable energy, reduces fossil diesel consumption, and supports emission reduction efforts in the transport sector.
Anne mentioned that KAI has also been using biodiesel gradually in its diesel operations, progressing from B35 to B40. This experience serves as part of KAI’s preparation for the B50 stage using a technical approach that is safe, measured, and in accordance with operational needs.
“KAI is ready to implement the use of B50 in accordance with government directives. All our diesel assets have been prepared so that this energy transition can proceed while maintaining travel safety, operational reliability, and the quality of service to the public,” said Anne.