Jakarta –
So far, market electric motor in Indonesia is still dominated by local brands. Meanwhile, giant brands from Japan such as Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki have not yet sold their electrified products in the country.
The existence of local electric motorbikes can easily be found on the highway. This is because apart from being sold in bulk, these vehicles are also rented out as online motorcycle taxi (ojol) fleets.
Automotive observer and expert in the field of electric vehicles from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Agus Purwadi said that local electric motorcycle brands are currently enjoying their heyday. However, according to him, all that will not last long.
Agus suspects that when the main players from Japan start selling their electric motorbikes in Indonesia, local brands will fall one by one. Because, in terms of product durability and aftersales service, consumers trust Japanese brands more.
“It could be that they (local electric motorcycle brands) end the game when Honda and Yamaha start selling EVs,” said Agus Purwadi when met in South Jakarta recently.
Honda itself has introduced three electric motorbikes at the IMOS 2022 exhibition. Chances are they will start selling it this year. While Yamaha has also launched an electrification product in Indonesia, it has even been introduced since 2019 in Japan. However, the Iwata manufacturer has yet to start selling it.
“That’s what you’re afraid of. So what’s worrying is those (local manufacturers) who are already bleeding at the moment, all of a sudden Honda-Yamaha launches their electric motorbike product, yes (consumers) all move. That’s what’s dangerous, right,” he said .
It is known, electric motorbikes have sold 15 thousand units over the past year. Even though it is far from selling gasoline motorbikes, the increase is quite significant.
The government itself will provide an electric motorbike subsidy of IDR 7 million per unit. Reportedly, it will be inaugurated soon this month. The subsidy policy is expected to boost sales of electric motorbikes in Indonesia.
Watch Video “The Government Gives Subsidies to the Price of Electric Motorbikes, Who Wins?“
(sfn/your)
