Industry Minister: Electric Motorcycles to Dominate Domestic Market, Conventional Motorcycles Directed Towards Exports

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has emphasised that the government is preparing strategic steps to accelerate the transition of motor vehicles to electric bases, in line with the President’s directives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. According to Agus, this policy will focus on strengthening the production and use of electric motorcycles domestically, without abruptly halting the production of conventional vehicles. “The message from the President is very clear that all vehicles going forward will be electric-based. This is because the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels is becoming increasingly apparent,” said Agus when met after the launch of the book “Ginandjar Kartasasmita: Service from Era to Era – Journey, Life Struggles, and Thoughts” held in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4). He explained that the government is currently drafting regulations to encourage automotive manufacturers, particularly motorcycle producers, to increase the production capacity of electric vehicles. This policy will be directed so that sales of new motorcycles in the domestic market are gradually dominated by electric motorcycles. “The government is preparing regulations so that existing electric motorcycle producers in Indonesia can quickly prepare production capacity. We want sales for the domestic market to go through electric motorcycles,” clarified Agus. On the other hand, Agus assured that the production of conventional-based motorcycles will still be permitted, but will be directed to meet export markets. Countries in the Africa, Middle East, and South America regions are mentioned as the main targets. “There is no need to stop the production of conventional motorcycles, but we will direct them for export. Meanwhile, for the domestic market, we will start building electric motorcycle capacity,” he stressed. He added that the government is also preparing a national electric vehicle transition roadmap. In the long term, all two-wheeled vehicles used by Indonesian society are targeted to be electric-based. Agus cited China’s success in adopting electric vehicles, particularly motorcycles, as a reference for accelerating transformation in Indonesia. “China has already succeeded; its base is electric motorcycles. This is what we want to achieve gradually in Indonesia,” he concluded.