Is being a first mover really an advantage in Indonesia’s EV sector?

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Hello reader,

I love those types of phrases where you take a commonly known saying and either add a new line after it or use a different context, and the overall meaning can change drastically.

For instance, we all know that “blood is thicker than water,” which talks about how familial bonds are more important than anything else. However, there’s a different interpretation out there that suggests a different meaning: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.”

In this scenario, it means that the relationships forged through those you choose are stronger than the ones you were born with, such as those with your family.

There’s another one that I like, which is “the early bird gets the worm.” Now add another line after it: “But the second mouse gets the cheese.”

It shows that while being a first mover can give you a big advantage, sometimes it’s better to sit back and let someone else take the risk of entering the mousetrap first. Only then do you make your move.

Indonesia’s electric vehicle sector, which is growing rapidly but still in its nascent stage, is grappling with that question: Is it better to be the early bird or the second mouse? Today’s story takes a look at what the industry’s stakeholders have to say about being first movers.

Today we look at:

• Indonesia’s EV pioneers taking cautious steps forward
• The top investors in Southeast Asia’s logistics and transportation sector
• Other newsy highlights such as TikTok Shop’s potential path to return to Indonesia and Samsung’s new division for future businesses.

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Fastest fingers… fail?

Image credit: Timmy Loen

EVs are a promising vertical in Indonesia, but being in the early stages also means that there are tons of things that need to be figured out. Sure, you could be the first company to set the stage, but will you be able to hold onto that leader position for long?

• To be or not to be: The first question to sort out is whether battery swapping or charging is the best way forward. Each has its own pros and cons, and other markets have their own preferences. As such, stakeholders in Indonesia are still figuring out which works best for the country.
• Big daddy’s here to help: The EV industry is heavily reliant on government support. According to Electrum’s Pandu Sjahrir, “40% to 50% of successful adoption actually relies on government policy.”
• The real question: While the charging versus swapping debate is important, the most critical consideration will still be bringing the best value to consumers. “Consumers want to save money by going electric, but they won’t settle for a less capable or significantly more expensive motorcycle,” said Raditya Wibowo, co-founder and CEO of Maka Motors.

Riding the worm

By popular demand – RFM returns to HCMC!

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