The government will release regulations regarding the standardization of electric motorbike batteries in January next year, said the Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang.
“There will be a big breakthrough regarding battery standardization for electric motorbikes, hopefully,” said Agus during a conversation in Bali, Thursday (28/12/2023).
According to him, standardization of electric motorbike batteries is important so that there is uniformity throughout Indonesia.
Standardization of electric motorbike batteries also aims to enable electric motorbike riders to charge at various existing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU).
“So that an electric motorbike rider from Aceh, he can comfortably ride his electric car all the way to Papua, because of what? Because he is sure that the substation on his journey provides the same standard, not just for one particular brand,” said Agus.
Agus said that standardization of electric motorbike batteries must be seen based on what the users need, not based on the decisions of an organization at the top level.
Furthermore, Agus said that the Directorate General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment and Electronics Industry of the Ministry of Industry would coordinate with various related parties, including PT PLN.
“(Directorate General) ILMATE is constantly holding talks, discussions and dialogue with various parties, especially here with the electric motor producing industry itself, and the battery producing industry itself, and we are also talking with PLN,” said Agus.
Manufacturers support
Previously in October, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, said that his party had received commitments from a number of companies producing electric motorbikes and electric motorbike batteries regarding battery standardization.
Febri said that with standardization, consumers will find it easier because electric motorbike battery components are uniform so they are easier to find on the market.
“So, for example, if you buy an electric motorbike A, and then when, for example, the battery wears out, then they can use the battery from another electric motorbike because it is already standardized. That means if it is standardized, it means the market is wider,” he said.
Febri also said that battery standardization is also expected to encourage domestic battery industry players to develop.
“If it is standardized, many people will want to produce it. So the batteries are standard, there are various brands,” he said as quoted by Antara.
Apart from people’s mindset and battery standardization, Febri said another problem with the lack of public interest in switching to electric vehicles is the ecosystem, including limited recharging locations, as well as workshops or electric vehicle repair service facilities.
“If a lot of people use it, we feel like we want to join in too. In terms of production, we can do a lot, the problem is public demand which needs to be boosted,” he said.
Therefore, Febri asked the industry to more intensively market the electric vehicle products they produce. He said that the government as a regulator had provided substantial incentives and assistance.