Purbaya: New Rules Do Not Completely Change Electric Vehicle Tax

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the new regulations on electric vehicle (EV) tax do not change the total tax amount, but only shift the collection scheme. “Actually, the total (tax) is the same, nothing has changed. It’s just shifting from one place to another,” said Purbaya to reporters during a media briefing at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta on Tuesday. The new regulation in question is the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) No. 11 of 2026, which sets the amount of vehicle tax, including battery-based electric vehicles (KLBB) or battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The Finance Minister explained that the previous regulations included certain incentives, such as import subsidies or other schemes. It is this scheme that is being adjusted in the new regulation. However, on a net basis, the tax burden on electric vehicles remains the same compared to the previous mechanism. He guaranteed that the changes reflect an adjustment to the fiscal scheme, not an addition or reduction in total collections. “The net tax is unchanged compared to the previous scheme,” Purbaya explained. In Permendagri 11/2026, electric vehicles are no longer objects excluded from motor vehicle tax (PKB) and motor vehicle transfer tax (BBNKB). In other words, ownership or transfer remains subject to taxation. This means that electric cars are still subject to tax under the regulations, but the amount of tax paid is not always full and can even be zero rupiah, depending on regional policies. The imposition of tax is not absolute. The central government still provides room for incentives in the form of exemptions or reductions, as regulated in Article 19. The amount of such incentives is left to each regional government. Therefore, electric vehicle tax policies going forward will no longer be uniform and may vary between regions.