CIKARANG, thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto has urged Indonesians to consider switching from petrol-powered motorcycles to electric models. He argues that the transition could substantially reduce daily transportation expenses.

Prabowo delivered the message while launching 20,000 domestically produced electric motorcycles at PT Ilectra Motor Group’s ALVA manufacturing facility in Cikarang, West Java. This event happened on Thursday, August 13.

The launch forms part of the government’s effort to expand Indonesia’s electric-vehicle industry and reduce dependence on imported fuel. The government aims to build a domestic supply chain covering motorcycle assembly, batteries, charging facilities and maintenance services.

Prabowo said electric motorcycles could lower riders’ operating expenses by at least half compared with conventional petrol-powered models.

“So, if anyone still uses a petrol motorcycle later, they will have to face the consequences themselves,” Prabowo said.

“We calculated that using an electric motorcycle instead of a petrol motorcycle can reduce your daily transportation expenses by at least 50 percent. In the end, the savings could even reach 70 percent,” the president added.

The president said the government was preparing a financing scheme. This plan would allow consumers to purchase nationally produced electric motorcycles without a down payment. It would offer a lower loan interest rate.

The administration had not released detailed eligibility requirements or participating financial institutions as of Friday. The government did not release the loan tenures or the amount of public funding required for the scheme.

The no-down-payment arrangement should therefore be treated as a policy proposal rather than an immediately available nationwide facility.

Prabowo also indicated that the government was preparing a transition mechanism for existing petrol motorcycle owners. He did not explain whether this would involve trade-ins, subsidized conversions or direct purchase incentives.

Indonesia previously offered assistance for converting petrol motorcycles into battery-powered vehicles. Under Energy and Mineral Resources Ministerial Regulation No. 13/2023, eligible recipients could receive a Rp10 million discount on conversion costs of up to Rp17 million.

The ministry has estimated that motorcycle conversion could cut fuel-related expenses by as much as 80 percent. This could occur under certain usage assumptions.

Actual savings would vary according to electricity tariffs, distance traveled, battery subscriptions, maintenance requirements and petrol prices.

Prabowo cited Beijing as an example, noting that conventional motorcycles cannot operate there. Beijing does impose extensive motorcycle restrictions, but official rules do not establish a blanket citywide ban on every petrol motorcycle.

Beijing regulations prohibit motorcycles with certain license plates from entering central areas and bar them from several major roads.

Motorcycles registered outside Beijing are prohibited from traveling inside the Sixth Ring Road. Motorcycles carrying Beijing “B” plates cannot enter roads within the Fourth Ring Road, as reported by the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau.

Indonesia’s electric-motorcycle expansion must also address charging availability, battery durability, resale value, road safety and consumer protection. The government has yet to announce any nationwide deadline or prohibition covering petrol-powered motorcycles.