Tucuxi Test-Drive Unlicensed

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta: The Ministry of Transport stated that the electric car Tucuxi does not have a test-drive permit. "We have never received any permit application to test Tucuxi," Bambang S. Ervan, Head of Public Communication at the Transport Ministry, said yesterday.Under Law No.22/2009 on Road Traffic, every new vehicle must undergo a series of tests before it being manufactured. One of the tests is to be conducted by the Transport Ministry, which is one of the vehicle registration requirements. Once the test is passed, the vehicle would receive a letter of vehicle number.State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan experienced an accident while testing the Tucuxi electric car through the eastern slopes of Mount Lawu, East Java, on Saturday. In the accident, Dahlan and Ricky Elson was unharmed but the car was damaged.Automotive observers Suhari Sargo accused Dahlan of violating procedures when driving the Tucuxi. "Supposedly there is a due diligence before the prototype is taken on a test drive," he said last night.Executive Director of the Indonesian Transportation Society had suggested that the test drive be done in a confined space before it took place. "The test should not be carried out in a public place because it is very dangerous to other drivers," he said.Tucuxi is a variant in the national electric car project. The sedan, said to be able to run up to 200 kmph, was designed by Danet Suryatama.When asked for confirmation, Dahlan could not be reached. However, shortly after the accident, Dahlan said that Tucuxi car is incredible as it was able to be driven on a steep road at high speed. MARIA YUNIAR | ANANDA PUTRI | GUSTIDHA BUDIARTI | DEWI RINA