The Ministry of Investment of Indonesia donated three electric buses to Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on Wednesday (May 8). The handover was conducted after the state property grant agreement was signed before the UGM Central Office.
UGM Rector Professor Ova Emilia expressed her appreciation for the Ministry of Investment’s grant of three electric buses worth IDR 4.1 billion. She mentioned that electric buses are highly beneficial for UGM in supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions by adopting environmentally friendly vehicles.
“The grant of these electric buses is, I believe, to support the government’s program in realizing UGM as a green campus,” she explained.
The rector stated that UGM has operated two electric buses since April 2022. Each bus has a passenger capacity of 14 seated and ten standing. She acknowledged that the existing two electric buses are still insufficient, so adding three units significantly aids UGM in facilitating transportation services for the UGM community.
“These buses are very beneficial in supporting the mobility of the UGM community within the campus and as a manifestation of the campus’s support in energy transition issues and global climate change mitigation,” she elaborated.
Deputy for Investment Cooperation Riyatno conveyed that the donation of electric buses to UGM aligns with the government’s policy of developing a battery-based electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia. According to him, the government consistently promotes a green and low-carbon economy as one strategy to achieve Indonesia’s economic transformation.
“One of the targets in the energy sector roadmap is to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2060 with the use of electric vehicles for both commercial activities and private vehicles,” he stated.
Riyatno also mentioned that Indonesia’s nickel reserves, equivalent to 23% of the world’s reserves, significantly support the development of Indonesia’s electric battery industry ecosystem.
He added that other government support includes providing various incentives such as a 20-year tax holiday for producers, super tax deductions up to 300%, and VAT exemption on importing and acquiring capital goods in the form of machines and factories for motor vehicles.
“The government also pays attention to consumers by providing incentives such as a subsidy of IDR 7 million for the purchase of electric motorcycles, a VAT reduction on the purchase of electric cars and buses, and a reduction in motor vehicle transfer fees for electric motorcycles and cars up to 90%,” explained Riyatno.
Meanwhile, Gilarsi W Setijono, CEO of PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas, the provider of the electric buses, revealed that the buses donated to UGM have a wider design than usual and have received approval from the Ministry of Transportation.
“While the usual width of electric buses is only 2.1 meters, we made it 2.4 meters to accommodate more passengers, making it safer and more comfortable,” he revealed.
Setijono stated that each electric bus donated can carry more than 30 passengers and travel up to 220 kilometers on a single charge.
He added that VKTR is very open to UGM students and alumni as young, talented engineers who want to intern or join the company.
The Ministry of Investment’s donation of electric buses to UGM follows the ceremony in August 2023 when the Minister of Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia, symbolically handed over two electric cars to be donated.
In his speech, the minister also promised to add one bus unit for a total of three donated buses. After signing the grant agreement, the UGM community is expected to utilize the donated electric buses immediately.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Firsto