President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for a sweeping transformation of Indonesia’s transportation sector by targeting a full transition to solar-powered electric vehicles, ranging from motorcycles to heavy machinery.
This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on energy imports while revitalizing domestic industry.
“I want everything to be electric,” Prabowo said during a discussion with journalists and economists in Hambalang, West Java, which was broadcast on YouTube (March 19).
Energy Import Dependence in the Spotlight
The push for electrification is closely tied to Indonesia’s current energy situation. The country has been a net oil importer since the early 2000s, as domestic production has declined while consumption has continued to rise.
Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources show that fuel consumption reached 232,417 kiloliters per day in 2025, with nearly half of that demand met through imports. This condition leaves Indonesia’s economy vulnerable to global energy price fluctuations.
Prabowo believes that continued reliance on fossil fuel-based engines will only prolong this dependency. Therefore, transitioning to electric vehicles is seen as a strategic step to strengthen national energy security while reducing import costs in the long term.
“The savings are extraordinary. If the strategy is right, we can revive industrialization,” he said.
Indonesia Pushes to Build Its Own Auto Industry
Beyond electrification, the government is also aiming to strengthen the domestic automotive industry through the development of a “national car,” to be led by PT Pindad as part of efforts to reduce the dominance of imported products.
“I want to build a car factory. Why are we just a market for other countries’ cars?” Prabowo remarked.
He pointed to the success of countries such as Japan and South Korea, which have built strong automotive industries despite limited natural resources. In contrast, Indonesia, which is rich in minerals such as bauxite, has yet to fully capitalize on its potential.
The government is also promoting downstream industrialization as a key strategy. Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia must move beyond exporting raw materials and start producing high value-added industrial goods.
“We must process them into high-value industrial products,” he stressed.
This approach is expected not only to increase economic value but also to create quality jobs and address ongoing deindustrialization challenges.
Ambitious Plans to Power EVs with Solar Energy
To support the electric vehicle ecosystem, the government aims to build up to 100 gigawatts of solar power capacity within two years. Part of this program will be implemented through the Merah Putih Village Cooperative initiative.
In addition, the government is targeting the conversion of up to 120 million motorcycles to electric within the next three to four years.
However, this ambition far exceeds current conditions. Installed solar power capacity stood at only 916 megawatts in 2024, with an additional 495 megawatts added by mid-2025.
Nevertheless, the plan reflects the government’s broader policy direction: reducing reliance on imports, strengthening domestic industry, and building a comprehensive clean energy-based transportation system.
