MAB Electric Bus Said to be More Economical Than TransJakarta Bus

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The electric bus could replace Transjakarta buses, said Mobil Anak Bangsa (MAB) Company President Director Leonard. The electrically-powered bus was claimed to be more efficient and cost less electricity than the oil-powered bus.

Based on the current rate, the electric bus costs only Rp800 per kilometer. While the oil-powered bus costs around Rp2,000 per km. "We got the calculations," said Leonard at Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Saturday, March 3.

MAB electric bus was also projected to replace the employees' shuttle bus in the ministry agencies. Leonard assessed electric bus to shuttle employees is an effective transportation and the battery charging time can be predicted.

For example, he added, a bus transports the employee and arrives at 07:00 am, then the battery power can be charged first before re-delivery employees in the afternoon.

MAB Founder who is a presidential chief of staff Moeldoko mentioned three advantages in using the electric bus. The first is its high efficiency as it costs less electricity than the oil-powered bus. The second advantage is the zero-emissions transportation which helps reducing pollution in the capital city. Moeldoko hoped that Jakarta is clean from pollution after operating electric buses.

"The third is is the bus relatively needs zero maintenance since it no longer powered by oil, so it is a high-efficiency carrier," Moeldoko stated.

Previously, MAB Company produced the first prototype electric bus. Moeldoko explained that the prototype II electric bus has better design quality than the previous one. The prototype II MD255-XE2 bus is claimed to be motorized by 100 percent electric power.

The prototype I was in white color and the passenger seat was almost like a TransJakarta bus. While in prototype II alias MD255-XE2, the electric bus is blue with the seats designed like a bus in general.

Both prototypes can travel about 250-300 km per hour if the battery is fully charged. The full charging time is estimated for three hours.

MAB company planned to produce better electric bus in prototype III. The so-called prototype will able to travel a distance of 800 km per hour. However, the massive production will be started by the time government affirm the electric bus regulation.

Lani Diana Wijaya