Converted Electric Motorcycles Pose Safety Risks Without Proper Standards
JAKARTA — Converting petrol motorcycles to electric motorcycles represents one solution to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles in Indonesia.
Pius Wirawan, CEO of Indomobil Emotor, considers the conversion process as something that cannot be undertaken arbitrarily, as it involves numerous electrical components with specific standards.
Pius emphasised that safety aspects must remain a primary concern. “The most obvious issue is the amperage rating of cables. If a cable with a low amperage is used with a charger of higher capacity, the cable could melt,” he said.
According to Pius, differing standards and quality of workmanship across workshops present distinct challenges in developing converted electric motorcycles. Without clear standards, conversion results can vary significantly in terms of both performance and safety.
“Technically, it may be possible to install, but the question is whether it is safe. Safety factors must be a priority, especially for electric motorcycles,” he stated.
“For this reason, many aspects must be considered, from insulation and electrical systems to the types of cables used, which indeed differ,” he added.
Beyond standardisation and safety considerations, Pius noted another important factor: economies of scale. Conducting a conversion can prove more expensive than purchasing a factory-made electric motorcycle.
“There are therefore many factors that must be considered. Regarding economies of scale or component affordability, conversion components currently remain quite expensive. This is because purchasing volumes have not yet reached economies of scale,” he explained.
“The BLDC motor, battery, controller, wiring — each component is expensive because purchases are still in small quantities,” Pius stated.
In Indonesia, converting petrol motorcycles to electric motorcycles is actually regulated by the government through the Ministry of Transportation Regulation Number PM 39 of 2023 concerning the Conversion of Motorcycles with Internal Combustion Engines to Battery-Powered Electric Motorcycles.
This programme falls under the oversight of the Ministry of Transportation and may only be performed by workshops holding official certification.
If deemed compliant, the vehicle’s status will be updated so that it is registered as an electric motorcycle on official documents such as the vehicle registration certificate (STNK).