Jakarta. Indonesia’s ambition to convert around 120 million gasoline-powered motorcycles into electric vehicles within five years is unrealistic given persistent structural challenges, an energy expert has warned.

Fahmy Radhi, an energy analyst from Gadjah Mada University, said the country’s current ecosystem and infrastructure are not prepared to support large-scale motorcycle electrification.

The number of workshops capable of converting conventional motorcycles to electric or servicing electric vehicles remains limited and largely concentrated in major cities.

“If motorcycle owners in rural areas must travel to cities for conversions, it will be impractical, even with incentives in place,” Fahmy said on Tuesday.

Conventional motorcycles continue to dominate the market due to the widespread availability of repair shops and spare parts across Indonesia, he added.

Charging infrastructure also remains a key constraint. Electric vehicle charging stations are still scarce and mostly located in shopping centers in urban areas. Meanwhile, state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara has yet to commit to large-scale upfront investment needed to expand charging networks nationwide.

Consumer preferences present another challenge, with many buyers favoring gasoline-powered motorcycles for their longer-term economic value. In contrast, resale prices for electric motorcycles tend to depreciate more quickly.

Fahmy also pointed to a structural contradiction in the government’s electrification push, noting that around 56% of Indonesia’s electricity supply still comes from coal. This limits the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, as their carbon footprint remains relatively high.

“We should set targets that reflect our actual capacity. Overly ambitious goals risk missing the mark,” he said.

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