In order to enhance the convenience and experience of electric vehicle users as well as to encourage their wider adoption, PLN added 4 General Electric Vehicle Charges points (Stasiun Pengisian Kendaraan Listrik Umum – (SPKLU). An electric energy charging station (SPKLU) is an infrastructure that facilitates charging of electric vehicles, including electric cars, electric motorbikes and the like.
Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the Indonesian state-owned company tasked with supplying the electricity needs of the Indonesian people has collaborated with Jasa Marga to add these stations on the Surabaya – Jakarta toll road. With the launch of the 4 new SPKLUs on the Trans Java toll road, it will make it easier for people to travel long distances using electric cars.
“The SPKLU facilities at these 4 points are provided by PLN to provide comfort to electric car users and to accommodate battery charging needs when travelling from Jakarta to Surabaya,” said Director of Commerce and Customer Management of PLN, Bob Saril.
These latest SPKLU additions are part of PLN’s commitment to supporting the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 55 of 2019 concerning the Acceleration of the Battery-Based Electric Motor Vehicle Program for Road Transportation.
Indonesia continues to move towards battery-based electric vehicles and PLN is eager to assists everyone in the nation who is looking to use who use Battery-Based Electric Motorised Vehicles (KBLBB).
On 17 December 2020, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) had a public launching of Battery-Based Electric Motorised Vehicles (KBLBB) as an environmentally friendly future vehicle. This formal launch aims to disseminate programmes of the Central and Regional Government and stakeholders in supporting the implementation of Presidential Regulation.
The programme has ambitious targets, aiming to have around 19,000 4-wheeled vehicles and 750,000 2-wheeled vehicles by 2025 in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 283,000 tons CO2-e.
The KBLBB programme also aims to improve National Energy Security by reducing dependence on imported fuel. The Head of the Communication Bureau, Public Information Services and Cooperation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Agung Pribadi, revealed that Indonesia’s current fuel consumption is around 1.2 million barrels of oil per day (bopd) with most of the fuel needs being fulfilled through imports.
“With the high growth of motorised vehicles, dependence on imported fuels will continue to increase. It is necessary to use local energy sources, especially new renewable energy and gas, which is used for electricity generation as a provider of electricity for KBLBB. The goal is to improve air quality and support the achievement of emission reduction targets. National Greenhouse Gas,” added Agung.
The shorter distances that electric vehicles can travel and the lack of infrastructure for charging electricity have always been the obstacles to using electric vehicles across the country and, therefore, electric cars are only predominantly used in cities. PLN plans to build 2,400 Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU) by 2025.
Ensuring the provision of charging infrastructure through the construction of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations will go a long way in encouraging people to explore the use of electric vehicles. It is imperative to ensure convenience for those who wish to use such environmentally-friendly transportation options.
Earlier in October this year, the Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID) revealed that a group of Indonesian state-owned companies will form a venture to make batteries to power electric vehicles. The new venture, called Indonesia Battery Holding, would be formed by state miners MIND ID and Aneka Tambang (ANTAM).
Indonesia, the world’s biggest producer of nickel ore, a key component of EV batteries, wants to build an integrated EV industry that will eventually include building the vehicles.