Jakarta. Indonesia is accelerating its transition to electric vehicles (EVs), with the government signaling a decisive shift away from fossil fuel-powered transport under a direct mandate from President Prabowo Subianto.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the directive underscores the urgency of scaling up EV adoption across all segments, from motorcycles and passenger cars to commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses.

“The President’s message is very clear: all vehicles going forward should be electric-based. The importance of this transition is becoming increasingly evident, particularly to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” Agus said on Thursday.

To support the shift, the government is preparing a comprehensive regulatory framework and a national roadmap aimed at accelerating the domestic EV ecosystem.

A key priority is boosting production capacity, especially for electric motorcycles, as authorities move to ensure that future domestic vehicle sales are increasingly dominated by EVs.

“The government is preparing regulations requiring existing electric motorcycle producers in Indonesia to ramp up production capacity, as we aim for all domestically sold motorcycles to be electric,” he said.

While pushing EV adoption at home, the government will continue allowing the production of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles but primarily for export markets.

“Conventional vehicle production does not need to stop, but it will be directed toward exports to regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and South America,” Agus added.

The policy direction aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy to strengthen its industrial base while advancing clean energy transition goals.

Separately, President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday inaugurated an electric commercial vehicle assembly facility operated by VKTR Sakti Industries in Magelang, Central Java — marking a key milestone in the country’s push for downstream industrialization.

In his remarks, Prabowo praised the role of the private sector in supporting national industrial development, highlighting the long-term commitment of Anindya Novyan Bakrie and the Bakrie Group in advancing EV manufacturing.

“I highly welcome and appreciate this initiative, which has been pursued for years by Anindya Bakrie and his business group,” the President said.