Indonesia gears up for 500% surge in EV use during Eid ul-Fitr exodus

Electric-vehicle (EV) use in Indonesia during Eid al-Fitr celebrations is expected to increase by 500 per cent to 21,570 vehicles, up from 4,314 last year, according to projections by state-run electricity company PLN.

“PLN is ready to fully support people who make the Eid homecoming trip using EVs,” PLN Retail and Commerce Director Edi Srimulyanti told Antara news agency on Monday.

The rise reflects a growing adoption of eco-friendly transport and the government’s push for sustainable energy solutions during a busy travel season.

Last year, EV sales rose to over 43,000 units, up from 17,000 in 2023 and a mere 125 at the height of the pandemic in 2020, according to data from automotive industry association Gaikindo.

Jakarta’s ambitious target of getting 2 million electric cars and 12 million electric two-wheelers on the roads by 2030 has been backed by policies such as tax discounts on EV purchases and zero import duties for foreign carmakers.

To ensure a smooth homecoming journey, PLN has prepared 1,000 public charging stations on the Trans Java-Sumatra homecoming routes.