Challenges in Converting Motorcycles to Electric That Must Be Addressed
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The programme to convert petrol-powered motorcycles to electric motorcycles faces not only technical challenges but also economic constraints.
Hendro Sutono, spokesperson for KOSMIK (Indonesian Electric Bicycle/Motorcycle Community), assessed that the relatively high conversion costs are one of the main factors influencing consumer decisions.
“In such conditions, consumer decisions become quite rational if the cost difference is not significant; buying a new vehicle designed from the outset as an electric motorcycle is considered safer and more practical,” Hendro told Kompas.com on Wednesday (1/4/2026).
In addition, Hendro explained that Indonesian society’s consumption patterns also influence that choice.
“Motorcycles are generally purchased through instalments with relatively light down payments. This system makes consumers more accustomed to replacing vehicles with new units rather than modifying old vehicles,” he said.
“In this context, conversion becomes less attractive because it does not provide the same financial flexibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hendro stated that amid various limitations of the conversion programme, Indonesia’s new electric motorcycle industry is showing quite rapid development.
“Dozens of brands have been registered and some already have production facilities domestically,” he said.
Even, in several statements, that capacity is said to be able to approach 1.6 million units per year, although production realisation is still not maximal.
“This means that from an industrial perspective, the capability to produce electric motorcycles on a large scale is actually already available,” said Hendro.
Hendro assessed that policies encouraging the adoption of new electric motorcycles are considered increasingly relevant to the existing field conditions.
“With the existing capacity, policies encouraging the adoption of new electric motorcycles become increasingly relevant, because they are directly connected to the production ecosystem that has already formed,” he said.