Tesla Deemed Too Costly, Blue Bird Seeks Other EV Alternatives
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9 September 2019 10:13 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian taxi giant Blue Bird Group is still deciding whether to import additional Tesla units or not in 2020 as the group’s President Director, Noni Purnomo, said that the company’s inaugural EV Tesla fleet is deemed too costly.
“One Tesla unit is priced at Rp2.5 billion. We are not looking for cheap vehicles, but we must adjust. We are still in search for alternative brands,” said Noni in Jakarta’s SCBD district on Sunday.
In 2019, the taxi company imported 30 electric vehicles (EV) to fill its new electric car fleet. Four of those imported were the Tesla Model X 75D while the rest consists of China’s BYD 96.
Currently, the Tesla cars used as one of its premium taxi services charges its passengers equal to the company’s premium sub-brand Silver Bird.
“If it’s adjusted to the price of the vehicle itself, Tesla passengers could be charged three times the normal tariff but we decided to charge passengers under the normal cost,” said Noni.
According to her, Blue Bird is still subsidizing its electric car fleet that is mainly used for operational costs and the construction of charging stations. The company plans to import 200 EVs in 2020 if an economic alternative brand is found.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA
