Grab, Gojek, state-owned electricity provider PLN to develop EV in Indonesia

Southeast Asian ride-hailing firms Grab and Gojek signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday with Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), to develop the country’s electric vehicle industry.

Photo credit: The Low Down

The memorandum also involved Indonesia’s biggest taxi operator, Blue Bird, Chinese automaker BYD, Indonesian public bus operator Transjakarta, and Indonesian automaker PT Mobil Anak Bangsa.

The memorandum will see the companies collaborate to build a network of electronic charging stations for EVs.

Ridzki Kramadibrata, president of Grab Indonesia, said the partnership with PLN is a part of the firm’s plan to develop the EV ecosystem in Indonesia.

“Grab is committed to developing the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia through an investment of US$2 billion for Indonesia. We believe that electric vehicles can be an option for our driver partners and a long-term solution for Indonesia, especially to reduce air pollution, which has recently become a challenge,” Kramadibrata said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Gojek and its investor, Indonesian auto distributor Astra International, have tested the implementation of electric motorbikes through the GoRide service since last June.

“At the moment, we explore the trial implementation for the next stage. We will increase the project scale by involving more vehicles, more drivers, and expand in more areas,” Nila Marita Indreswari, chief corporate affairs of Gojek, told KrAsia.

The partnership between Grab and PLN includes a joint planning session to discuss the technical, business, and legal aspects of the development and implementation of e-mobility in Indonesia. Both companies have agreed to conduct research and development of business models for market study and e-mobility development, including for mini scooter vehicles, electric bikes, and electric cars.

“PLN has been assigned by the government in the framework of providing electricity charging infrastructure for battery-based storage systems. The MOU has become the commitment for both to accelerate electric vehicle development in Indonesia,” said Sripeni Intenser Cahyani, the acting CEO of PLN.

This report was first published on KrAsia.