The Development and Challenges of Electric Buses in Indonesia: A Focus on Local Bodybuilders

SEMARANG, KOMPAS.com – The population of electric buses operating to transport passengers in Indonesia is still limited. Most units are used by Transjakarta, using fully imported electric buses from China.

Actually, bus body manufacturers in Indonesia already have the ability to make electric buses, one of which is Laksana in Ungaran. Karoseri Laksana already has eCityline, a high-floor electric bus with a BYD chassis.

Unfortunately, Indonesia and countries in ASEAN are currently entering into sales agreements with China. So there is one rule that is quite disturbing for local bodybuilders in making bus bodies.

Also read: Prices Become Obstacles to Procurement of Electric Buses for Public Transportation

Alvin Arman, Commercial Director of Laksana, doesn’t want to blame anyone. The agreement has already taken place and is difficult to change.

“It contains, allowing complete import of electric vehicles with very cheap import duties. As for chassis imports, where we are local companies that make the car body, the import duties are much more expensive,” said Alvin in Ungaran Thursday (6/7/2023).

The existence of these regulations, of course, makes the market or bus operators prefer to buy fully imported chassis. But now, Alvin said that the government has responded to the wishes of the local car body.

Also read: Popularizing the Electrification Vision, Lexus Holds an Exhibition Themed Lexus Electrified: Aethereum

“There has been a positive response from the government, they have begun to require TKDN, to be increased. I think this is enough to help us,” said Alvin.

Alvin only hopes that for the next project, cooperation with local companies has begun to be seen. This means that the electric bus chassis is available and the body used is made by a local car body.

The Laksana electric bus itself is reportedly undergoing tests in Jakarta. Indeed, this high-deck bus model will only be tested. Previously, only low-floor electric buses were passing by, from the test until now it has been operating.

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2023-07-10 01:42:00
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