Jakarta. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi is encouraging more Indonesians to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) in their lives as the country wishes to boost its e-mobility adoption.

However, the minister admitted that convincing people to use EVs could be hard as they were still pricey at this time. Promoting green transport should also start as soon as possible so people will get used to riding EVs, according to Budi.

“This is a grand idea that will certainly benefit us all, particularly for the future generations. But I have to say it is not an easy task. I hope that there will be a rise in the EV lifestyle, although [electric cars and two-wheelers] are still expensive,” Budi said, shortly after hosting a visit from B-Universe Media Holdings’ management at his Jakarta office on Tuesday.

Budi said that the shift from petrol vehicles to EVs could bring down emissions and save the planet.

Indonesia is aiming to reach net zero emission by 2060 or sooner. Indonesia has set a goal to have 2 million electric cars and 13 million electric two-wheelers on its roads by 2030. The government earlier this year reported that Indonesia had recorded 144,547 units of EVs as of May 2024.