Indonesia pushes for electric public transport, studies Thailand's model

Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) is actively promoting the acceleration of electric vehicle adoption within the public transportation sector, working in partnership with the Organization of Land Transportation (Organda). This push is a key component of the nation's broader strategy to foster a sustainable and environmentally conscious transportation system.

"In the context of decarbonization, there is vehicle electrification, and one of the things we want to encourage is electrification in public transport," stated Muiz Thohir, Director of Road Transport at the Directorate General of Land Transportation at Kemenhub. He emphasized that the ongoing transformation of public transport is moving from conventional vehicles toward more advanced technologies, with electric vehicles playing a crucial role in the future of transportation. Thohir urged Organda members to adapt to these modernizing trends.

Despite the drive towards cleaner transport, Kemenhub acknowledges significant challenges in establishing concrete targets for converting diesel-powered public transport to electric by 2030. To address this, the ministry, along with state-owned bus operator Perum Damri, recently visited Thailand to study its successful transition of internal combustion engine fleets to electric vehicles. Thailand's advancements in the number of electric fleets are seen as a valuable reference for Indonesia.

Thohir indicated that accelerating the electrification of public transport will require substantial government incentives to encourage participation from transportation businesses. He believes that such support is vital for speeding up the fleet conversion process and making it an attractive prospect for industry players. The insights gained from Thailand are expected to guide Indonesia in its efforts to create a cleaner, more modern, and competitive transportation system.