TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has taken the lead to use an electric car as the government’s official electric vehicle. He conducted the test drive for electric motorcycles and cars at Gambir Station, Jakarta.

“I have promised that the Transportation Ministry will be a pioneer in the use of electric vehicles in 2020, and I am glad that we made it today,” said Budi Karya after driving a white Hyundai Ioniq electric car on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 16, 2020.

He explained that the use of electric fleets was one of the government's efforts to push for the development of environmentally-friendly vehicles. The electric-powered car, Budi added, will be used as daily operational vehicles as well.

The minister then expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders involved, hoping the initiative could be followed by other ranks in the ministry. “I appreciate the stakeholders, hopefully, this will not be only for echelon 1 and echelon 2 officials, but also all officials,” said Budi Karya.

The Transportation Ministry expected that at least 100 electric vehicles would become operational cars, and six electric motorbikes have been used to support operations at the Directorate General of Land Transportation. The use of electric vehicles would be implemented in stages, starting from echelon 1 and 2.

The policy was noted in the Transportation Ministerial Regulation No. 65 of 2020 concerning the conversion of diesel-fueled motorcycles to battery-powered ones.

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RR. ARIYANI YAKTI WIDYASTUTI