Indonesia boosts use of eco-friendly cars

Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-27 21:44:41|Editor: Shi Yinglun
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JAKARTA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has taken steps to accelerate and boost the use of eco-friendly electric cars in a bid to protect the environment and reduce fossil fuel imports.

The government has decided to allow only electric vehicles and simulated autonomous cars operating in the country's new capital to be constructed in East Kalimantan province, Indonesian Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said here on Monday.

"The president always says that...in the new capital all the vehicles there have to be powered by electricity and in the form of autonomous cars," Sumadi said.

The minister urged people to be accustomed to using electric cars, albeit their prices are little bit more expensive than those of conventional cars.

To solve the problem, Sumadi said that he expected some schemes which can lure consumers to purchase such a type of vehicles.

Taking an example, batteries which are the major component of such vehicles can be produced by domestic manufacturers to make prices lower, he said, citing that the government would incentivize such a move.

Meanwhile, state electricity firm PLN will provide more stations to recharge the batteries, he added.

Sumadi pointed out that his ministry was expected to purchase 100 units of electric cars to support operation of the officials in carrying out their tasks, media reported.

Indonesia as a vast-archipelagic country has huge electrical sources including hydro power, wind power, geothermal power and coals.

The use of the eco-friendly energy from the sources is expected to reduce the production of carbon emission and help ease global warming.

With less fossil fuel consumption, the country would edge off shipment of fossil fuel from abroad as it has primarily contributed to the trade deficit and risked on the current account gap.

Indonesia is scheduled to start building the new capital next year.

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