On Wednesday (Dec. 13), Indonesia and South Korea signed an agreement to cooperate in developing an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem for public transportation in Bali. During the event, Vivi Yulaswati, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Natural Resources at the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), represented Indonesia, while Jaeseung Lee, a representative of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), represented South Korea.
Yulaswati said the collaboration aims to help achieve the goal of zero emissions by 2060, as the transportation sector is the second largest contributor to emissions.
In the trial phase, the team will prepare the necessary infrastructure, including procuring buses, constructing charging stations, determining routes, creating sidewalks, and deploying operators in the field. The trial will take place in four areas of Bali: Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar and Tabanan (Sarbagita), and will run for three years.
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a supporting partner for the project, which requires approximately US$8.8 million. Until December 2027, GGGI will assist with feasibility studies, implementation, financial aspects, and the provision of electric buses and supporting infrastructure, Yulaswati said.
Jaeseung Lee, GGGI's representative for Indonesia, mentioned that this project is the first collaboration between GGGI and the Indonesian government in the electric vehicle sector in their ten-year partnership. He emphasized that the goal of the collaboration is to increase public interest in using convenient and affordable public transportation.
Meanwhile, Suy Hyun Lee, Director of the Climate Change and International Cooperation Bureau of the South Korean Ministry of Environment, expressed his support for the project and offered potential further cooperation, particularly in the environmental context. Mr. Lee shared his view that climate change could have a significant impact on sectors such as the environment, economy, tourism, and society in Indonesia.
IGW Samsi Gunarta, Head of Bali's Transportation Agency, also expressed his support for achieving the zero-emissions target by 2045. He explained that Bali has introduced diesel buses into its public transport fleet.
Gunarta explained that the program to introduce electric buses will start in the Sarbagita region, as they have adopted sustainable urban mobility plans. After the implementation in Sarbagita, the local government plans to implement an electric bus development project in Klungkung, especially with the construction plans for the Bali Cultural Center (PKB) in that area, which is expected to stimulate new economic growth.
