TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, confirmed that the government targeted sales of electric vehicles or EVs in the country to reach 200,000 units this year.

“The current sales [of EV] is still at 80,000, including hybrids. The largest [sale] remains Innova Hybrid. We hope it can increase to 200,000 units per year cumulatively,” Airlangga said in Jakarta on Monday, Feb. 5.

He also reported that the national market for vehicles was expected to increase to 1.1 million units. “There is a shift in sales trends from ICE (internal combustion engine) cars to EVs, so the market may increase to 1.1 million,” he said at the launch of Chery Omoda E5 electric car at Park Hyatt, Jakarta.

Airlangga mentioned that the national car sales have been stagnant at one million units for the past ten years. However, he believed that the domestic car market would increase this year.

“First, it was because of COVID-19, which disrupted the mobility. Now it has already returned to pre-pandemic levels, as there is a surge in exports of more than 400,000,” the minister said.

“The domestic market must of course be price competitive and secondly, the features of the vehicles must be more advanced. We must promote EVs that are affordable for the people,” Airlangga Hartarto said.

RAFIF RAHEDIAN

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