Electric Vehicles Deemed the Right Choice for National Energy Independence

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Managing Director of the Energy Shift Institute, Putra Adhiguna, considers the development of an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem to be the right choice for building national energy independence. “In many other countries, the use of electric vehicles is always a priority because it is indeed the most efficient path,” said Putra from Jakarta on Thursday (2/4/2026). Both in terms of energy use and from a cost perspective, he continued, electric vehicles require lower operational costs compared to biofuels such as biodiesel or bioethanol. He acknowledged that the current challenge for the government is providing supporting infrastructure. In addition, the government must ensure the development of a domestic electric vehicle industry, so that Indonesia does not only import electric vehicles from China. “But this (building an EV industry) is something that Indonesia can do, especially as a country with a large population,” said Putra. On that occasion, Putra stated that the cost of biofuels is more expensive compared to fossil-based fuel oil (BBM). Meanwhile, he added, biodiesel can still be supported by the existence of large palm oil companies that can be offset by export costs from palm oil. In addition, Putra also reminded the importance of considering the environmental consequences of palm oil plantation expansion to meet the raw material needs for biodiesel production. “Every expansion of biodiesel will have environmental consequences,” said Putra. Previously, President Prabowo Subianto asked universities to conduct rapid studies to save the use of fuel oil (BBM), said the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto. Regarding the focus of these fuel efficiency efforts, several subjects of concern include promoting vehicle electrification to reduce BBM imports. In addition, he said, there is still significant use in various diesel power plants (PLTD). For this reason, replacing them with Solar Power Plants (PLTS) is being encouraged.