Electric Vehicle Procurement in NTB Hampered by Ferry Regulations

The procurement of electric vehicles in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is being hampered by ferry regulations, as the transportation of electric cars is considered high risk. Head of the NTB Transportation Agency, Ervan Anwar, stated that the NTB Provincial Government is committed to utilising electric cars to reduce dependence on fuel oil, beginning with preparing electric vehicles for heads of regional apparatus organisations. “Through the NTB Governor, we have started this by preparing electric cars for OPD heads as operational facilities to serve the people of NTB,” Ervan said during a visit to the ASDP Kayangan Branch office in East Lombok on Saturday (27/6/2026). However, the transition to green energy in NTB is still facing regulatory obstacles, particularly concerning the sea crossing of electric cars. “There is a regulatory obstacle from the Ministry of Transportation regarding electric car crossings. We will seek the appropriate regulation so that this national programme concerning electric cars can proceed, while safety and security during the crossing can also be maintained,” Ervan explained. Meanwhile, Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VII, Bambang Harjo, promised to convey this obstacle to the central government, as electric vehicle development is a national programme. “The solution is that we will discuss it together at the central level. This is a national programme, so we will discuss whether to use a special ship loaded with several electric cars or what the solution will be,” Bambang pledged. He explained that transporting electric cars by ship is quite risky, with one of the dangers being fire, thus requiring adequate fire extinguishing equipment. Bambang revealed that a special extinguisher for electric cars does not yet exist anywhere in the world, with such equipment expected to be introduced only in 2032. “The obstacle for electric cars is the extinguishing equipment; the tool does not exist yet globally, and the plan is that it will only be realised in 2032,” Bambang stated. Under current regulations, ships are not permitted to transport electric cars without such equipment. On the other hand, the electric car development programme is a national initiative. “The harbour master does not allow ships without the extinguishing equipment to transport them, but this is a national programme, so it is a dilemma. Therefore, we will discuss it together to find a solution,” Bambang added.