Minister Bahlil Pledges Incentives for Motorcycle Fuel-to-Electric Conversion
Minister Pledges Incentives for Motorcycle Fuel-to-Electric Conversion
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has announced his readiness to provide incentives for a programme converting motorcycles from fossil fuel (petrol) to electric motors. This represents a continuation of a similar programme launched in 2023 with a quota of 50,000 units.
Bahlil explained that the electric motorcycle conversion programme is part of a strategy to shift vehicle usage away from fossil fuel towards battery-based vehicles. The objective of the programme is to reduce pollution caused by fossil fuel vehicles.
In efforts to transition from fossil fuel energy to new renewable energy (NRE) or green energy, Bahlil has also committed to providing additional incentives in the electric motorcycle conversion programme.
“Naturally, the state will stand together with the community when switching from petrol to electric motorcycles. There will certainly be some kind of incentive,” Bahlil stated at the ESDM Ministry Office in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026. However, he could not yet disclose how many motorcycles would receive the subsidy. This decision will be discussed in a meeting of the Energy Transition Acceleration Task Force.
Bahlil added, “We have just completed forming the task force. I will hold a task force meeting first before I report to you.”
Prabowo Appoints Bahlil as Task Force Leader
President Prabowo Subianto had previously appointed Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), to lead a task force (satgas) related to energy transition. The task force’s duties include developing Solar Power Plants (PLTS) and converting motorcycles using fossil fuel to electric motors.
This statement was made by Bahlil following a limited meeting (ratas) with President Prabowo at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026. He stated, “We were given a task by the President to serve as Chair of the Task Force in carrying out rapid energy transition. This includes 100 gigawatts for solar power plants, along with other new renewable energy.”
Bahlil further explained that one of the main focus areas is accelerating the conversion of motor vehicles.
“We will also accelerate the conversion of kits from our 120 million petrol motorcycles, and we will attempt to gradually convert them to electric motorcycles,” he said. With this step, energy transition is expected to proceed more effectively and efficiently.
Within 3-4 Years
Bahlil stated that Prabowo is highly committed to accelerating the energy transition programme.
“God willing, we will carry this out within a short timeframe. The President stated that the maximum is 3-4 years, or even faster if possible,” he affirmed. According to him, accelerating energy transition will help the government save state budget. This is particularly related to energy subsidies, which often cause budget spending to balloon.
“Because by converting from diesel power plants to solar power plants, it will result in efficiency for our electricity subsidy. At the same time, we are promoting acceleration in the use of electric motorcycles and cars,” he said.
With this step, the government is expected to reduce budget burden and increase renewable energy usage. This is an important step towards energy sustainability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.