TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) chairman Soerjanto Tjahjono highlighted the safety concerns regarding electric powered vehicles and the rescue procedures that must be set in motion once these types of vehicles are involved in an accident, especially considering Jakarta is planning to operate electric bus fleets this year.

According to Tjahjono, the NTSC is aware that these electric buses are powered by batteries up to 600 volts, and therefore, the establishment of a safety procedure is a must.

“If there is an accident, how would the rescue be conducted without ending up being electrocuted. We don't want people to fall victim as they try to help,” said the NTSC chair on Thursday.

He said that stakeholders of the public electric bus should not just focus on the emissions reductions. They have to also think about the safety in using the vehicle and how to mitigate a situation of an accident involving electric vehicles.

The Jakarta-owned transportation enterprise PT Transjakarta has tested the electric buses several times. The BYD K9 and C6 buses have been tested to serve the City Hall - Blok M route. The latest test was conducted by PT Higer Maju Indonesia (HMI), exclusive distributor and manufacturer of Higer buses in Indonesia in January 2021.

Read: Transjakarta Eyes to Operate 30 Electric Buses by June 2021

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI