Jonan Seeks To Promote Electric Motor Vehicles

Jakarta, (Antara Sumbar) - Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Ignasius Jonan, hoping to promote the country's program of developing electric motor vehicle industry, has bought an electric motorcycle.

President Joko Widodo has encouraged immediate development of electric driven motor vehicle industry, Jonan said citing a reason for his buying the motorcycle here on Sunday.

"Progress has to be made in the program to produce electric driven vehicles for the next generation, for the creation of better environment, energy security and to save foreign exchange," he said here on Sunday.

It started when Jonan was visited by his former subordinate when he was President Director of the state-owned Railway Company on Saturday driving a Viar-made electric motorcycle.

Jonan tried the motorcycle and apparently finding it good he decided to buy one for his daughter Monica Jonan.

Delivery of the motorcycle, which has a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour with battery to be recharged every 70 kilometers of running, took place on the next day on Sunday at the residence of the minister.

Earlier on 19 October 2017, when receiving a visit of a group of the producers of Gesits motorcycles at his officer, Jonan also tried an electric motorcycles of Garansindo and the Surabaya Institute of Technology of Sepuluh November (ITS).

"The gas emission of the motorcycle is low. It has no engine, there is only a battery and transmission system that its maintenance is cheap," he said.

At that time Jonan suggested to the producer of the electric motorcycle to sell the vehicle at a competitive price.

"I recommend when it is mass produced , the selling price should be competitive facing ones using oil fuel," he said.

In addition in a bid to help promote electric motor vehicles, end of August, 2017, Jonan asked stakeholders to jointly support the President's program of accelerating development of electric motor vehicles industry.

"The President wants the program implemented as soon as possible starting with regulation," he said.

The president was speaking at a meeting attended by business players, leaders of business associations, observers and related ministers.

At that meeting Jonan recommended to the president to ban sales of diesel and gasoline engine cars in 2040. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika