Tag: Buying guide

  • Jakarta’s odd-even rule and EVs: what drivers need to know in 2026

    Jakarta’s odd-even rule and EVs: what drivers need to know in 2026

    Top image: Photo: Taman Renyah, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    For many Jakarta drivers, the single most practical reason to choose a battery electric car is not the tax break or the running costs. It is being able to drive into the city centre on any weekday, whatever the last digit of the number plate. That perk comes from Jakarta’s odd-even (ganjil genap) traffic restriction, and it is now under review.

    This guide explains how the rule works, which vehicles are exempt, why hybrids do not qualify, what happens if you break it, and how the current debate could affect anyone thinking of buying an EV.

    How the odd-even rule works

    The scheme is set out in Jakarta Governor Regulation (Pergub) No. 88 of 2019, which amended an earlier 2018 regulation, according to a summary of the current rules published by Harian.news in August. The basics:

    • Days: Monday to Friday only. It does not apply on Saturdays, Sundays or national public holidays.
    • Hours: two sessions, 06:00–10:00 and 16:00–21:00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
    • Plates: cars whose plate ends in an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) may use the restricted roads on odd-numbered dates; those ending in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) on even-numbered dates.

    The restriction covers private four-wheeled vehicles on specified corridors, not the whole city. Outside the listed roads and hours, any car can drive as normal.

    Which roads are covered

    Harian.news lists 25 road sections, concentrated on Jakarta’s main north–south and east–west arteries. They include:

    • Central spine: Jalan M.H. Thamrin, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Jalan Panglima Polim and Jalan Fatmawati (between Jalan Ketimun 1 and Jalan T.B. Simatupang).
    • Old town and the north: Jalan Pintu Besar Selatan, Jalan Gajah Mada, Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Jalan Majapahit, Jalan Gunung Sahari and Jalan Stasiun Senen.
    • Business districts and the inner ring: Jalan Gatot Subroto, Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Jalan M.T. Haryono, Jalan D.I. Panjaitan, Jalan Jenderal S. Parman (Tomang Raya to Gatot Subroto) and Jalan Jenderal A. Yani (Bekasi Timur Raya to Perintis Kemerdekaan).
    • West and east links: Jalan Suryopranoto, Jalan Balikpapan, Jalan Kyai Caringin, Jalan Tomang Raya, Jalan Pramuka, Jalan Salemba Raya and Jalan Kramat Raya.

    If you commute along Sudirman–Thamrin or the Gatot Subroto–Rasuna Said business belt, the rule is likely to affect you on half of all working days.

    Who is exempt

    Medcom.id lists 13 categories of vehicle that are not bound by the rule. For private motorists the relevant ones are:

    • electric vehicles;
    • motorcycles, which are outside the scheme altogether, so electric motorbikes are unaffected either way;
    • cars carrying people with disabilities (with the appropriate sticker).

    The remaining categories cover emergency and official traffic: ambulances, fire engines, yellow-plate public transport, fuel tankers, red-plate government vehicles, military and police vehicles, vehicles of senior state officials and visiting foreign dignitaries, accident-recovery vehicles, supervised cash-in-transit vans, and vehicles granted discretion by the police.

    Only battery electric cars qualify

    The EV exemption applies to vehicles powered solely by electricity. As GridOto has explained, conventional hybrids still use a petrol engine, so they are not covered. The same logic applies to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and range-extender EVs (REEVs), which carry a petrol engine as a generator; our guide to hybrids, PHEVs, REEVs and full EVs explains the differences.

    Battery electric cars are identified by their number plate, which carries a blue strip along the validity-date section. There is no separate sticker to apply for: if your car is registered as a battery EV, the plate itself signals the exemption to officers and cameras.

    Fines and enforcement

    Breaking the rule is treated as ignoring a traffic sign under Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transport. Harian.news cites Article 287, which allows a fine of up to Rp500,000 or up to two months’ imprisonment. Police enforce the rule both with officers at the roadside and through ETLE electronic cameras, Sinergianews reports.

    Is the EV exemption going to end?

    Not yet, but it is no longer guaranteed. The rule has been in place for roughly a decade, and in late September the Jakarta Transportation Agency held a focus group discussion to evaluate it. The agency is studying its economic and emissions effects, how vehicles should be classified, and which roads should be covered.

    Speaking at City Hall on 30 September, agency head Budi Awaluddin said simply: “There has been no change yet,” Antara reported (translated from Indonesian). He added that the scheme has been effective at reducing congestion and needs further study. Suara.com framed the dilemma: the exemption helps EV sales, but a fast-growing EV fleet using the restricted corridors freely could bring congestion back.

    Since then the debate has moved in two directions at once:

    • Extending the perk: Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji has proposed incentives for hybrids, PHEVs and REEVs that include odd-even exemption. We covered his proposal here. Carmakers such as Honda and Chery have argued for the same thing before, detikOto reported in 2025.
    • Phasing it out eventually: Periklindo chairman Moeldoko has suggested the EV exemption could end once EVs reach around 30% of the vehicle population, a level still far off (our report). Sarmuji has said he will hear Periklindo’s full case before taking a view (follow-up).

    Leapmotor, among other brands, has warned that removing the exemption could dent demand (background here). As of 1 November no change to the regulation has been announced, so battery EVs remain exempt.

    What it means for buyers

    • If you drive restricted corridors daily, a battery EV currently doubles the weekdays you can use them at peak times compared with a petrol car or hybrid. That is a real convenience, but treat it as a bonus rather than a permanent right when weighing up a purchase.
    • Do not buy a hybrid or PHEV expecting the exemption. Proposals to extend it are only proposals; under the current regulation they must follow the odd-even rule.
    • Check the plate on a used EV. The blue strip should be present and the registration should show an electric power source.
    • Look at the full cost picture. Tax, charging and depreciation matter more over several years than one traffic perk. Our guides to EV taxes and incentives and electric car prices and models cover those.
    • On two wheels, the rule does not apply to motorbikes at all, so an electric motorbike gains nothing extra here.

    We will update this guide if Jakarta changes the regulation or its list of exempt vehicles.

    Sources: Harian.news; Medcom.id; GridOto; Sinergianews; Antara; Suara.com; detikOto.

  • Hybrid, PHEV, REEV or full EV: which suits drivers in Indonesia?

    Hybrid, PHEV, REEV or full EV: which suits drivers in Indonesia?

    Top image: Photo: M Raisfath, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. The BYD M6 DM-i, Indonesia’s best-selling plug-in hybrid so far in 2026, at GIIAS in Bandung.

    Walk into an Indonesian showroom in late 2026 and the word “electrified” can mean four quite different cars. Some never plug in, some plug in but still burn petrol most days, one type uses its engine only as a generator, and some have no engine at all. The government is now debating whether the three petrol-assisted types should get some of the perks that so far go only to full battery EVs. This guide explains how each works, how they are treated today and which suits which kind of driver.

    The four types in plain terms

    Hybrid (HEV)

    A conventional hybrid pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor and a small battery that is charged by the engine and by braking. You fill it with petrol and never plug it in. The electric side mainly helps at low speeds and in stop-start traffic, which is where it saves the most fuel.

    Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

    A PHEV has a much larger battery that you charge from the mains, so it can cover shorter trips on electricity alone before the engine takes over. Chinese brands often market these under their own names, such as BYD’s DM-i, Chery’s CSH or Jaecoo’s SHS. The fuel savings depend almost entirely on how often you charge it: an uncharged PHEV is simply a heavy hybrid.

    Range-extended EV (REEV, sometimes EREV)

    A REEV is driven only by its electric motor. It carries a battery that is large by plug-in standards and a petrol engine whose job is to generate electricity when the battery runs low, not to turn the wheels. KatadataOTO describes the driving experience as much closer to a pure EV than a PHEV. Changan’s Deepal S05 REEV, launched this year as the first REEV on sale in Indonesia, lists a pure electric mode, a range-extending mode in which the engine-driven generator tops up the battery, regenerative braking and a “camping mode” that runs the generator while the car is parked.

    Battery electric vehicle (BEV)

    A BEV has no engine and runs entirely on its battery, charged at home or at public SPKLU stations. It has the lowest running costs and the fewest moving parts, but it depends on you having somewhere reliable to charge. Our charging guide covers the options.

    What Indonesians are actually buying

    Gaikindo’s wholesale figures (factory-to-dealer shipments) for January to September 2026 show the battery EV has overtaken the hybrid:

    • Battery EVs: 117,218 units, or 17.26% of a total market of 679,020, according to detikOto. Kompas gives a rounded figure of about 117,800 (17.3%); the small gap appears to come from different data cuts.
    • Hybrids: 65,968 units, or 9.72% of the market (detikOto). Hybrids led electrified sales from 2021 to 2024 before BEVs surged in 2025 and 2026.
    • Plug-in hybrids: 10,264 units, up 209.5% on the same period of 2025, led by the BYD M6 with 5,121 and the Chery Tiggo 8 CSH with 2,066 (CNN Indonesia). We covered the PHEV surge here.
    • REEVs: still a niche. CNN Indonesia’s PHEV table counts 29 Deepal S05 REEVs over the nine months.

    Our own calculation from these figures: battery EVs, hybrids and plug-ins together made up about 28.5% of all vehicles wholesaled in the first nine months.

    How the rules treat each type today

    Luxury tax. Under the luxury-tax regulation PP 74/2021, battery EVs are taxed on a 0% base, while plug-in hybrids and full hybrids pay luxury tax on a reduced share of their price, with the size of the reduction tied to fuel economy and emissions, as Gaikindo summarised when the rule was issued. The wider 2026 picture, including the end of the VAT discount and changes to regional vehicle tax, is in our EV tax and incentives guide.

    Odd-even and other perks. In Jakarta, battery EVs are exempt from the odd-even number-plate restriction; hybrids, PHEVs and REEVs are not. The city is reviewing that rule, and some brands have warned against removing the EV exemption.

    What may change. On 21 October Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji told Gaikindo that he wants non-fiscal incentives for hybrids, PHEVs and REEVs, including odd-even exemption and dedicated parking, and that tax relief is also being studied, though not necessarily at BEV levels (Koran Jakarta; our report is here). Nothing has been issued yet.

    “The plug-in hybrid and REEV incentives will be formulated.” — Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji, to detikOto (translated from Indonesian)

    Which one suits you?

    • Choose a battery EV if you can charge at home or at work, most of your driving is in and around one city, and you want the lowest running costs and, in Jakarta, freedom from odd-even. Our running-cost comparison sets out what charging costs against petrol.
    • Consider a REEV if you want to drive on electricity day to day but regularly travel where chargers are thin, such as long inter-city trips. Changan’s marketing head Ridjal Mulyadi told KatadataOTO that drivers covering about 170 km a day or less would run mainly on the battery. The choice is small: the S05 is priced in the Rp 500 million range.
    • Consider a PHEV only if you will plug it in most days. It suits households that can charge but want a petrol fallback for family trips.
    • Choose a hybrid if you cannot charge at all, for example in a flat or boarding house with no parking socket. You will still save fuel in traffic, with no change to how you refuel.

    Things to check before you buy

    • Your charging access, whether a home connection upgrade from PLN or a reliable SPKLU near your route.
    • Battery warranty terms for BEVs, PHEVs and REEVs, including whether they transfer to a second owner.
    • Your region’s vehicle tax. Exemptions are now set by each province, so check with your local Samsat or Bapenda.
    • Policy timing. Past EV incentives have been tied to local-content thresholds, so if a hybrid or REEV scheme is announced, ask the dealer where the car is assembled.

    Bottom line: the more reliably you can plug in, the further along the scale towards a full EV it makes sense to go.

    Sources: detikOto, Oct 2026; CNN Indonesia, 19 Oct 2026; Kompas.com, 17 Oct 2026; KatadataOTO, 11 Jul 2026; Kompas.com (biz), 28 Apr 2026; Koran Jakarta, 21 Oct 2026; Gaikindo, PP 74/2021 summary.

  • Converting a petrol motorbike to electric in Indonesia: costs and rules

    Converting a petrol motorbike to electric in Indonesia: costs and rules

    Top image: Photo: Tri Mega Widyawan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Indonesia’s energy minister has talked about speeding up the conversion of as many as 120 million petrol motorbikes to electric power, CNN Indonesia reported. One route is to buy a new electric motorbike. The other is to keep the bike you already own and have a workshop swap its engine for an electric motor and battery pack. This guide explains how conversion works in Indonesia, what the rules require, what it typically costs, and where the government’s conversion grant stands in late 2026.

    What conversion involves

    In a conversion, a workshop removes the petrol engine and its related parts, such as the fuel tank and exhaust, and fits an electric motor (typically a brushless BLDC unit), a lithium battery pack, a controller and new wiring for the lights and instruments. Consumer guides say automatic scooters are the most common candidates, because the battery can sit in the space under the seat. A 2026 guide from Mobil123 describes typical kits with a motor of about 2–3 kW and a 60V or 72V battery, giving roughly 50–70 km per charge. Those are the publication’s estimates rather than official figures, and real range depends on battery size and riding style.

    The legal rules: certified workshops and a new type test

    Conversion is legal, but you cannot do it yourself and ride on public roads. The basis is Transport Ministry regulation PM 65 of 2020 on converting combustion-engine motorbikes into battery-electric ones. When the rule came in, a Transport Ministry official told detikOto that only workshops holding a ministry permit may carry out conversions, and that each converted bike must be tested again to receive a new type-test certificate (SUT).

    The regulation also sets out what a conversion workshop needs. As summarised by Tirto, this includes at least one installation technician and one maintenance technician, special tools for fitting the electric drive, and equipment to test insulation resistance and protection against electric shock. In practice, this means that a cheap kit fitted by a general mechanic will leave you with a bike that does not match its registration papers.

    After conversion and testing, the vehicle’s registration documents (STNK and BPKB) have to be updated at Samsat to reflect the new electric motor. Mobil123 also notes that the bike must have complete, valid papers and no unpaid vehicle tax before work starts.

    How much it costs

    Estimates vary, and none is an official price list:

    • The energy ministry (ESDM) has put the typical cost of a conversion at around Rp15 million, according to Bisnis.com. The think tank INDEF puts it at Rp12–16 million.
    • The original 2023 programme rules capped the workshop fee at Rp17 million, CNN Indonesia reported.
    • Mobil123’s 2026 breakdown is higher, at Rp17.5–22.5 million before any grant. It covers the motor and controller (Rp8–10 million), the battery (Rp7–9 million), labour (Rp1.5–2 million) and testing and paperwork (Rp1–1.5 million).

    Energy minister Bahlil Lahadalia has suggested that cheaper technology could bring the cost down to about Rp5–6 million per bike, CNN Indonesia reported in July. That is a target, not a price you can get today.

    The government grant: lapsed for now, relaunch proposed for 2027

    The ministry’s conversion programme began with pilots in 2022. Under ESDM regulation 13 of 2023, the grant rose from Rp7 million to Rp10 million per bike. Eligible bikes had petrol engines of 100–150cc, according to CNN Indonesia, while Mobil123 gives the range as 110–150cc. Take-up fell far short of the targets. The rules aimed for up to 50,000 conversions in 2023 and 150,000 in 2024. Bisnis.com reports that only hundreds were done in 2023 and about 1,500 in 2024. In February 2026, Eniya Listiani Dewi, director general of renewable energy at ESDM, put the running total at 2,250 bikes.

    Under the previous scheme, the Rp10 million grant was topped up with company CSR funds so that owners paid nothing. Eniya described the arrangement to Bisnis.com:

    “At the time I mobilised CSR funds to cover the Rp5 million, so it was free for the public.” (translated from Indonesian)

    The regulation behind the grant ran only until 2024, and in July officials said its replacement was still in draft, with the ministry still studying whether to keep the old design. On 31 August, Bahlil told parliament’s Commission XII that the ministry was proposing Rp635.24 billion to convert 63,000 motorbikes in the 2027 budget. By our calculation, that works out to just over Rp10 million per bike. The figure was a proposal and could change during budget talks.

    Some consumer articles published this year still describe a Rp10 million grant as available now. Before you commit, check the ministry’s official conversion portal or ask a certified workshop whether any quota is actually open.

    Why take-up has been low

    Analysts quoted by Bisnis.com point to several problems:

    • Many older bikes lack complete papers, so they cannot qualify for the grant.
    • Owners worry about resale value and the safety of converted bikes.
    • Even after a grant, the cost is high relative to what an older scooter is worth.
    • Certified workshops are few and mostly in Greater Jakarta. CNN Indonesia counted 25 registered on the programme’s website.

    INDEF’s Andry Satrio Nugroho has argued for a scrap-and-replace scheme instead, in which old bikes are retired in exchange for new locally made electric ones. He has also suggested that ride-hailing and delivery fleets should come first.

    Convert or buy new? What it means for buyers

    For most private riders, conversion only makes sense when a grant is available. Without one, a conversion costing Rp15 million or more has to be weighed against the price of a new electric scooter, which comes with a factory warranty and dealer support. Our electric motorbike buyer’s guide covers the models and price bands. The purchase incentive for new e-motorbikes is also on hold, though, and buyers have been waiting for a decision for months.

    If you do go ahead:

    • Use only a workshop with Transport Ministry certification for conversions.
    • Make sure the price includes the type test and the update to your STNK and BPKB.
    • Ask what the battery chemistry and battery management system are, and what the warranty covers. Mobil123 suggests looking for at least three years on the battery.
    • Plan your charging. A converted bike charges like any e-motorbike, and our charging guide explains home charging and battery swapping.

    If the 2027 budget line survives, a new round of grants could make conversion cheap or free again for eligible owners. Until the rules are published, it is safest to treat any offer of a subsidised conversion with caution.

    FAQ

    Can I convert my own motorbike at home?

    No, not if you want to ride it legally on the road. Under PM 65/2020, a permitted workshop must do the conversion, and the bike must pass a new type test.

    Is there a conversion subsidy right now?

    The grant regulation ran only until 2024. As of July, officials said the replacement rules were still in draft, and the energy ministry has proposed funding for 63,000 conversions in 2027. Check the ministry’s official portal for current quotas.

    Which bikes can be converted?

    Under the past grant scheme, petrol bikes in roughly the 100–150cc range qualified, and sources differ on the exact lower limit. Automatic scooters are the most common choice. The bike also needs valid registration papers.

    Update, 25 October 2026: Bali’s governor has asked South Korea for partners to convert petrol vehicles to electric at no cost to owners; no scheme exists yet. Read our report.

    Sources: Bisnis.com; CNN Indonesia (Feb 2026); CNN Indonesia (Jul 2026); Periskop; Mobil123; detikOto; Tirto.

  • EV taxes and incentives in Indonesia in 2026: what buyers now pay

    EV taxes and incentives in Indonesia in 2026: what buyers now pay

    Top image: Photo: Ilham jayakesuma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    For most of 2024 and 2025, buying an electric car in Indonesia came with a stack of tax breaks: duty-free imports for brands that promised to build locally, a government-paid slice of VAT, and zero regional vehicle tax. In 2026 that stack has been largely dismantled, a replacement has been promised repeatedly but not yet delivered, and the rules now differ depending on where the car is made and where you live. This guide sets out what has changed, what still applies and what is still pending, based on reporting up to the end of September 2026.

    What ended on 31 December 2025

    The CBU import scheme

    Since 2024, brands that committed to building EVs in Indonesia could import fully built (CBU) electric cars without import duty or luxury tax (PPnBM). CNN Indonesia reported that this cut import duty from 50% to 0% and PPnBM from 15% to 0%, and that the scheme, under Industry Ministry Regulation 6/2023, was not extended beyond 2025.

    The catch for manufacturers is that the bill is not over. According to Kumparan, companies that used the scheme must build as many cars locally as they imported, by the end of 2027, backed by bank guarantees. Kumparan listed nine brands moving from imports to local production (Geely, BYD, VinFast, GWM, AION, Volkswagen, Xpeng, Citroën and Maxus), alongside six already assembling locally (Hyundai, Wuling, Chery, Polytron, Neta and MG). Brands that stayed out, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, now face import duty of up to 50%, 12% VAT and 15% luxury tax on imported EVs, the outlet reported.

    The 10% VAT discount

    The other big break was PPN DTP, a portion of VAT paid by the government. Under Finance Ministry Regulation (PMK) 12/2025, the state covered 10 percentage points of VAT on four-wheeled battery EVs with at least 40% local content, from 4 February to 31 December 2025, Tempo reported. The same rule gave hybrids a 3% luxury-tax discount. CNN Indonesia confirmed in January that no new rule had been issued to carry the VAT break into 2026.

    The replacement incentive: promised, redesigned, delayed

    A new incentive has been under discussion all year, and its shape has changed several times:

    • May: Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government would cover between 40% and 100% of VAT on electric cars depending on battery type, plus a Rp5 million subsidy per electric motorbike, for 100,000 of each, starting in June, Antara reported.
    • Late May: Purbaya postponed the scheme by a month because the calculations were not finished, CNBC Indonesia reported.
    • June: Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto confirmed a further delay. DDTC News reported the proposal as 100% VAT cover for cars with nickel-based (NMC) batteries and 40% for those using alternatives such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
    • August: At GIIAS, Purbaya said President Prabowo Subianto would announce the incentives within weeks, with the quota raised to 500,000 cars and 500,000 motorbikes, CNN Indonesia reported.
    • September: The motorbike element had been reshaped into Rp3 million per locally made e-motorbike, with a Rp3 trillion budget and a target of up to one million units, detikOto reported. On 24 September, ministers said they were still waiting for the Finance Ministry regulation, according to Telset.

    We have not found any report that the car VAT incentive has been put into force. Until a regulation is published, buyers should treat dealer talk of a coming “government discount” as unconfirmed. Our latest report on the e-motorbike subsidy has the most recent position on the two-wheeler scheme.

    “Yes, it’s delayed again, while we examine it first.” — Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, to DDTC News, June 2026 (translated from Indonesian)

    Regional vehicle tax: no longer automatically zero

    Annual vehicle tax (PKB) and the transfer fee paid on a new registration (BBNKB) are regional taxes. EVs used to be exempt nationwide. Home Affairs Ministry Regulation 11/2026, effective from April, ended the automatic exemption and handed the decision to regional governments, which may grant a full exemption or a reduction, Antara and Liputan6 reported.

    “It still really needs incentives. But of course, we have to consider our fiscal situation.” — Deputy Industry Minister Faisol Riza, to Antara

    In practice, many EV owners are still paying nothing. Jakarta, the largest EV market, has kept PKB and BBNKB at zero and still exempts battery EVs from the odd-even traffic restriction, FIN reported in May. A Home Affairs circular dated 22 April (No. 900.1.13.1/3764/SJ) is cited as the basis; local reports differ on whether it simply permits governors to keep the exemption or instructs them to. Either way, the position can vary by province, so check with your local Samsat office or the provincial revenue agency (Bapenda) before you buy.

    Local content (TKDN): the rule behind every incentive

    Almost every EV incentive in Indonesia is tied to local content, known as TKDN. Battery-electric cars need 40% local content through 2026, rising to 60% from 2027 and 80% from 2030, as the Industry Ministry restated this week. Parts makers have warned that the 2027 step will be hard to meet without local battery cells, as we reported in our GIAMM story. If a future VAT incentive also depends on battery chemistry, as proposed, the price gap between models could widen depending on where and how they are built.

    Where the market stands

    The loss of incentives has not stopped growth. Electric cars reached 101,171 sales in January–August 2026, or 16.88% of the 599,491-unit market, Suara reported. The electric motorbike market has been weaker, which manufacturers partly blame on buyers waiting for the subsidy. See our report on the e-motorcycle sales slump.

    What it means for buyers

    • Locally assembled EVs are now the value end of the market. With the CBU scheme gone, brands that build locally have the clearest tax advantage. Brands still importing have to absorb the duty or pass it on in their prices.
    • Do not count on a VAT discount yet. If one arrives, it may favour cars with nickel-based batteries over LFP models. Ask the dealer whether a price-protection or refund clause applies if an incentive is introduced shortly after you buy.
    • Check your province. Whether you pay PKB and BBNKB now depends on where the car is registered. Jakarta remains at zero, but other regions can set their own rates.
    • Motorbike buyers have the most to gain from waiting. A Rp3 million subsidy is a large share of the price of an entry-level e-scooter, but there is still no firm start date.

    For models and current prices, see our electric car buying guide, our electric motorbike buyer’s guide and the IndoEVs directory of brands on sale in Indonesia. We will update this guide when the new incentive regulations are published.

    Related: EV running costs in Indonesia: home charging, SPKLU, tax and petrol compared

    Latest: the planned VAT relief may favour nickel-battery cars over LFP models, a split the industry body Periklindo is challenging. Read: Periklindo pushes back on bigger EV incentives for nickel-battery cars.

    Sources: CNN Indonesia (6 Jan 2026); Kumparan; Tempo (19 Feb 2025); Antara (7 May 2026); CNBC Indonesia (26 May 2026); DDTC News (23 Jun 2026); CNN Indonesia (4 Aug 2026); detikOto (1 Sep 2026); Telset (24 Sep 2026); Antara (22 Apr 2026); Liputan6; FIN (5 May 2026); Suara (1 Oct 2026).

  • Electric Motorbikes in Indonesia: A Buyer’s Guide

    Electric Motorbikes in Indonesia: A Buyer’s Guide

    Top image: Photo: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Indonesia is one of the world’s biggest motorcycle markets, with annual sales of around 6 million to 7 million units. Electric models have still only managed roughly 60,000 to 70,000 sales a year, about 1% of the total, according to Antara. That leaves a lot of room to grow, and the government wants to fill it. This guide covers the brands and price bands in 2026, where purchase incentives stand, what local content (TKDN) means for you, how charging and battery swapping work, and the programme for converting petrol bikes to electric.

    The market in 2026: a pause while buyers wait

    E-motorbike sales have been hit by uncertainty over incentives. The electric motorcycle industry association Aismoli said sales were about 77,000 units in 2024, when a subsidy was in place, and around 70,000 in 2025 without one. From January to August 2026 they fell to about 18,900, as reported by detikFinance. Aismoli puts the drop down to shoppers holding off until a promised subsidy starts. By April 2026 there were about 242,909 electric motorbikes on Indonesian roads, according to industry ministry data cited by Otodream.

    Brands and price bands

    VIVA’s September 2026 OTR Jakarta price list shows how wide the market is:

    Budget: under Rp20 million

    • Polytron Fox-200: Rp12.1 million with battery rental, or Rp21.1 million with the battery included.
    • Selis (Neo Scootic Rp13.5 million, E-Max Rp15.5 million), Avand SC121 (Rp13.5 million) and Yadea GT20 (Rp15.5 million).
    • United T1800, MX-1200 and MT1500 at around Rp16–17 million.
    • Volta eX, 401, Eagle and Virgo at around Rp17.9–19.1 million.

    Mid-range: roughly Rp20 million to Rp60 million

    • ALVA: N3 from Rp16.5 million with battery rental. The N3 Next Gen and ONE XP cost around Rp31.5 million.
    • Honda: ICON e: Rp28 million, EM1 e: about Rp40 million, CUV e: Rp54.45 million.
    • MAKA Cavalry: around Rp39.5 million. Omoway: Rp46.9 million to Rp76.9 million.

    Premium

    Kawasaki’s Z e-1 and Ninja e-1 cost about Rp148–151 million. The Vespa Elettrica is listed at Rp198 million.

    Subsidy and incentive status

    In 2024 buyers of qualifying e-motorbikes got a Rp7 million discount, provided the bike had at least 40% local content, Kompas notes. There was no subsidy in 2025. In May 2026 the finance ministry announced Rp5 million per unit for 100,000 bikes. In August that was revised to Rp3 million per unit, with a budget of Rp3 trillion aimed at up to one million domestically made bikes. Officials expected only about 100,000 to be taken up by the end of 2026 because factory capacity is limited.

    At the time of writing the incentive still was not in force. After a change of finance minister, the industry minister said on 23 September that the technical rules were ready and only the finance ministry regulation (PMK) was needed (detikFinance). The deputy industry minister said the government still aimed to deliver it this year. If you are ready to buy, ask dealers whether they will honour the subsidy for bikes delivered before it officially starts. Most will not.

    Molinas, the national e-motorbike programme

    On 13 August 2026 President Prabowo launched the Motor Listrik Nasional (Molinas) programme at ALVA’s factory in Cikarang. He promised lower loan interest, work towards zero-down-payment financing and a trade-in scheme for petrol bikes, Kompas reported. Industry ministry figures quoted by Antara show 69 two- and three-wheel EV makers with a combined capacity of about 2.5 million units a year.

    What TKDN means for buyers

    TKDN, or Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri, measures how much of a vehicle is made in Indonesia. It matters because incentives usually go only to models above a threshold. The current minimum is 40%, rising to 60% in 2027–2029 and 80% in 2030, according to the industry minister (Antara). A high-TKDN bike is more likely to qualify for future subsidies. Local assembly can also make spare parts easier to find.

    Charging at home or swapping batteries?

    Home charging

    Most budget and mid-range scooters use a removable battery that you charge from a standard wall socket. The main drawback is time. Even with a fast charger, a full charge usually takes 2–3 hours. If you park at home or at work every day, this is the simplest and cheapest way to charge.

    Battery swapping (SPBKLU)

    At a swap station you exchange a flat battery for a charged one in about a minute. This suits ride-hailing drivers and couriers. Aismoli counted 1,907 SPBKLU nationwide by March 2026, with 1,480 of them on Java, and just 20 in Kalimantan and one in Nusa Tenggara (Otodream). PLN Mobile also listed 1,118 PLN-run swap cabinets and 603 two-wheeler SPKLU. The catch is that swap networks usually only work with particular brands, so check that your bike is compatible and that there are stations on your usual routes.

    Converting a petrol bike

    The energy ministry runs a programme to convert petrol motorbikes to electric at certified workshops. In late 2023 it raised the grant to Rp10 million per bike under Energy Minister Regulation 13/2023. Take-up was low, partly because a typical conversion cost about Rp15 million, leaving owners to pay the difference. The ministry is now redesigning the scheme for 2027 and has proposed a budget of Rp635.24 billion. Check the current terms with the ministry before you book a conversion.

    Prices, tariffs and incentive rules in Indonesia change often, sometimes month to month. Figures here were correct according to the sources linked at the time of writing; always confirm current prices, promotions and eligibility with an authorised dealer or the relevant provider before you commit.

    For the rules, typical costs and the outlook for the grant in more detail, see our guide to converting a petrol motorbike to electric.

    FAQ

    Is there an electric motorbike subsidy right now?

    Not yet. A Rp3 million per unit subsidy has been approved in principle, but in late September 2026 it was still waiting for its finance ministry regulation.

    What is the cheapest electric motorbike in Indonesia?

    Prices start at around Rp12 million on battery-rental plans. VIVA listed the Polytron Fox-200 at Rp12.1 million.

    Can I charge an electric scooter at home?

    Yes. Most models with removable batteries charge from a normal household socket, usually in a few hours.

    Is battery swapping available everywhere?

    No. Stations are concentrated in Java and are usually tied to particular brands.

    Sources: VIVA – Daftar Harga Motor Listrik September 2026; detikFinance – Insentif Motor Listrik Tunggu Keputusan Menteri Keuangan; Matamata – Pemerintah Targetkan Insentif Motor Listrik Cair Tahun Ini; CNBC Indonesia – Insentif Motor Listrik Turun Jadi Rp 3 Juta/Unit; Kompas – Menkeu Targetkan Insentif Mobil dan Motor Listrik Mulai Juni 2026; Kompas – Banyak Motor Listrik RI Sudah Capai TKDN 40 Persen; Antara – Pemerintah kaji insentif kendaraan listrik berbasis TKDN; Kompas – Prabowo Resmikan Motor Listrik Nasional; Antara (English) – Molinas marks new chapter in Indonesia’s EV industrialization; Otodream – Infrastruktur SPLU dan Penukaran Baterai Dinilai Belum Sebanding; Kementerian ESDM – Bantuan Konversi Sepeda Motor Listrik Jadi Rp10 Juta; KilasJatim – Program Konversi Motor Listrik 2027

  • Electric Cars in Indonesia: Prices, Models and What to Know Before Buying (2026)

    Electric Cars in Indonesia: Prices, Models and What to Know Before Buying (2026)

    Top image: Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Electric cars have gone from niche to mainstream in Indonesia remarkably quickly. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) wholesales reached 101,171 units in the first eight months of 2026, almost double the same period of 2025, according to Gaikindo data reported by Kompas. There is now a model for almost every budget, from compact city cars under Rp200 million to luxury SUVs costing billions. This guide sets out what electric cars cost in Indonesia in 2026, which models people are buying, which incentives apply, and what it costs to run one compared with a petrol car.

    What electric cars cost in Indonesia: price bands

    The prices below are on-the-road (OTR) Jakarta figures unless stated, taken mainly from Kompas’s September 2026 price list. Prices elsewhere in the country are usually higher because of shipping and regional taxes.

    Entry level: under about Rp250 million

    • Wuling Aira EV: Rp155 million (Standard Range) to Rp175 million (Long Range).
    • VinFast VF 3: Rp152 million with a battery-rental plan, or around Rp215 million with the battery included, according to Moladin.
    • Wuling Air EV Lite: Rp214 million to Rp251 million.
    • BYD Atto 1: Rp205 million (Dynamic) and Rp245 million (Premium), per Kompas.
    • Geely EX2: Rp239.9 million (Pro) and Rp269.9 million (Max).
    • Chery Q: Rp249.9 million to Rp269.9 million at normal list price.

    Mid-range: roughly Rp250 million to Rp500 million

    This is where the family crossovers sit. The Jaecoo J5 EV costs Rp279.9 million to Rp324.9 million. The MG S5 EV runs from Rp355.9 million and the BYD M6 seven-seater from Rp423 million. Several newcomers launched at GIIAS 2026 with introductory prices, including the Changan Nevo Q05 from Rp309 million and the BAIC T1 at a retail price of Rp393 million.

    Upper and premium: Rp500 million and above

    Above the mid-range you will find the BYD Sealion 7 Performance (Rp719 million), the Hyundai Kona Electric (about Rp565 million to Rp690 million) and the Ioniq 5 (Rp809 million to around Rp926 million). Past the Rp1 billion mark are cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (Rp1.237 billion) and the Lexus ES 350e (Rp1.48 billion).

    The models Indonesians are actually buying

    Chinese brands have almost all of the market. Gaikindo’s January to August 2026 figures, compiled by Kompas, show that all of the ten best-selling BEVs are Chinese:

    1. Jaecoo J5: 23,359 units
    2. BYD Atto 1: 19,909
    3. Geely EX2: 9,769
    4. BYD M6: 6,694
    5. BYD Sealion 7: 4,251

    Most sales are compact, affordable models. For many buyers an EV is now priced like a mid-spec petrol hatchback or small SUV, not like a luxury car.

    Incentives: what applies in 2026

    National taxes: PPN DTP and PPnBM

    Until the end of 2025, locally built EVs with at least 40% local content (TKDN) had 10 percentage points of the 12% VAT paid by the government (PPN DTP), so buyers paid 2%. That scheme, set out in PMK 12/2025, expired in December 2025. The import-duty and luxury-tax exemptions for fully imported (CBU) EVs also ended on 31 December 2025. Qualifying BEVs have also been exempt from luxury-goods sales tax (PPnBM), according to Kompas.

    In May 2026 the government announced a new PPN DTP scheme of 40% to 100% for pure battery EVs only (no hybrids), with a quota of 100,000 cars. Kompas reported that nickel-based batteries would get the larger discount. The launch was pushed back more than once, first from June and then into August. In September the industry minister said the government was also studying incentives tied to local content, and the required TKDN is due to rise from 40% now to 60% in 2027–2029 and 80% in 2030. Ask the dealer in writing which tax treatment applies to the exact variant you are buying.

    Regional taxes and Jakarta’s odd-even exemption

    Annual vehicle tax (PKB) and the transfer-of-ownership fee (BBNKB) are set by each province. In May 2026 Jakarta confirmed that EVs remain exempt from both. Jakarta EVs are also still exempt from the odd-even number-plate restriction under Governor Regulation 88/2019. Outside Jakarta the rules vary, so check with your local Samsat office.

    Running costs: electricity versus petrol

    Here is a simple monthly comparison for 1,000 km of driving. We assume an EV covers about 6.6 km per kWh, a figure the energy ministry has used (Republika), and a petrol car does 12 km per litre. Both are illustrative. Your own car and driving style will change the numbers.

    • EV, home charging (about 152 kWh at Rp1,444.70/kWh for 1,300–2,200 VA households): around Rp219,000. PLN also offers a 30% discount for night charging between 22:00 and 05:00, which brings this down to roughly Rp153,000.
    • EV, public SPKLU (Rp2,467/kWh): around Rp374,000, plus a service fee of up to Rp25,000 per fast-charging session or Rp57,000 per ultra-fast session.
    • Petrol car on Pertalite (Rp10,000/litre): around Rp833,000.
    • Petrol car on Pertamax (Rp15,950/litre in Java and Bali from 1 September 2026): around Rp1.33 million.

    These figures leave out local electricity taxes and the car’s charging losses, but the gap is clear. Mostly charging at home costs a fraction of running a petrol car, and EVs also need less routine servicing because they have no oil changes.

    What to check before you buy

    • Battery ownership. Some brands sell cars with a battery-rental plan. The price looks lower, but you pay a monthly fee. Compare the total cost over the years you expect to own the car.
    • Warranty. Confirm how long the battery warranty lasts, what mileage it covers and what capacity it guarantees, and check whether it transfers to the next owner.
    • Home power supply. Many homes need a higher electricity connection before they can use a wallbox charger. Include that cost in your budget.
    • Service network. Several brands are new to Indonesia. Check where the nearest authorised workshop is, especially outside Java.
    • Resale value. Used EV prices are still settling, and battery health is the main thing buyers look at.

    Prices, tariffs and incentive rules in Indonesia change often, sometimes month to month. Figures here were correct according to the sources linked at the time of writing; always confirm current prices, promotions and eligibility with an authorised dealer or the relevant provider before you commit.

    FAQ

    What is the cheapest electric car in Indonesia?

    In September 2026 the cheapest listed options were the VinFast VF 3 at Rp152 million on a battery-rental plan and the Wuling Aira EV from Rp155 million with the battery included.

    Are EVs exempt from Jakarta’s odd-even rule?

    Yes. Battery electric vehicles remain exempt under Governor Regulation 88/2019, and Jakarta also still waives PKB and BBNKB for EVs.

    Is the 2026 PPN DTP discount in force?

    The scheme of 40% to 100% depending on battery type has been announced but delayed several times. Check its current status with the dealer before you sign.

    Do hybrids get the same incentives?

    No. The government has said the new PPN DTP scheme covers pure battery EVs only, not hybrids.

    Related: EV taxes and incentives in Indonesia in 2026: what buyers now pay

    Sources: Kompas – Update Daftar Harga Mobil Listrik September 2026; Kompas – Cicilan Mobil Listrik Rp 200 Jutaan: BYD Atto 1 dan Geely EX2; Kompas – Daftar Mobil Listrik Terlaris hingga Agustus 2026; Moladin – 15 Mobil Listrik Termurah September 2026; CNN Indonesia – Daftar Insentif Mobil Listrik yang Disetop; Kompas – Insentif Mobil Listrik Berakhir 2026; Kompas – Menkeu Targetkan Insentif Mobil dan Motor Listrik Mulai Juni 2026; CNBC Indonesia – Purbaya Tunda Insentif Mobil Listrik; DDTCNews – Subsidi dan PPN DTP untuk Kendaraan Listrik Akan Segera Diluncurkan; Antara – Pemerintah kaji insentif kendaraan listrik berbasis TKDN; Kompas – Mobil Listrik Tetap Bebas Ganjil Genap di Jakarta; Republika – Isi Daya Fast Charging di SPKLU Kena Tambahan Biaya; Nasional.news – Tarif Listrik PLN September 2026; GridOto – PLN Diskon 50 Persen Pemasangan Home Charging; Antara – Harga BBM 1 September 2026