Transportation Ministry Expects 4,000 EVs Participate in 2024 Eid Homecoming

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of Type Test Sub-Directorate of the Directorate General of Land Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation, Yusuf Nugroho, estimates that as many as 4,000 electric vehicles will make the 2024 Eid homecoming trip. In total, there are about  23,328 electric vehicles or EVs in Indonesia. 

"As many as 18 percent or 4,000 electric vehicles will potentially participate in the Eid homecoming this year. The homecoming isn't only about intercity trips but local ones as well," Yusuf said at a press conference in Central Jakarta on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination for the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs Rachmat Kaimuddin said that the EV development has been quite rapid in Indonesia for "both the number of products now available in Indonesia and the sales".

According to him, the homecoming season is a "moment of truth" for battery-based electric vehicles. "Because we expect many EV users to use their vehicles to travel home for Eid al-Fitr. This may be the first homecoming period since we really get the [EV] incentives going," Rachmat said.

In addition to the Public EV Charging Stations or SPKLU, Rachmat said, the government needs to ensure charging infrastructure is adequate during the Eid homecoming period, especially in the Trans Java Toll Road. This is because daily operation for EVs usually only requires home charging. "Home charging is adequate for daily use, and we know there are a lot of those installed already," he said.

The government aims to ensure the availability of charging infrastructure in rest areas along the Trans Java toll road, in parts of Sumatra and other areas. Rachmat said more than 90 percent of EV cars population is in Java.

In the last two weeks, 175 new SPKLUs were built with fast charging and ultra-fast charging capabilities. "We hope that EV users can travel  safely and comfortably," he said.

According to Rachmat, the average EV car buyer purchased the vehicles as a secondary vehicle. "So yes, we expect the number of EVs this homecoming could be smaller than 18 percent. Some also do not travel for Eid homecoming this year," he said.

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