Indonesia's PEV 2025 shows off Chinese EV brands in Jakarta

For Chen Riling, chairman of Guangzhou-based Wanxinda Enterprise Group, the weeklong PEVS 2025 that opened on Tuesday is another window not only to Indonesia but also to the region.

Quite like its previous editions, PEVS 2025 again features Chinese EV brands including BYD, Cherry, Seres, Wuling, Denza and DFSK. A total of 143 participants from Indonesia and other countries are taking part in PEVS 2025 at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) arena. They include EV business companies and supporting enterprises.

Indonesia is a big country with a large population, Chen said. More importantly, the general direction of the related policies of the Indonesian government led by President Prabowo Subianto are stable.

Daswar Marpaung, president director of event organizer Dyandra Promosindo, said at the opening ceremony that Indonesia has seen a "very significant" growth in EV usage in the past years.

"This positive trend is expected to not only strengthen the national electric vehicle market, but also push forward investment climate and increase people's awareness of (the importance) of using environment-friendly vehicles," Marpaung said at the opening ceremony of the PEVS 2025, which has been held annually for the past four years.

Chen noted that the two countries are complementary markets and that exchanges of high-level visits further support bilateral cooperation.

Moeldoko, general chairman of the Electric Vehicle Industry Association, said the Indonesian government provides incentives for EV consumers and gives tax breaks to EV companies.

"With incentives, all will get into motion," he said, adding that regulations need to be eased so as to further develop Indonesia's EV industry and accelerate people's adoption of electric vehicles.

Moeldoko said with more Indonesians using EVs, the government will be able to reduce energy subsidies and then use state funds on schools, hospitals and other necessities.

Indrianto Firdaus, head of the social and environmental affairs of Indonesian-Chinese Social Association, said the most crucial element of an electric car is its battery.

People in general are hoping that there will be more and more innovations that make sure that EV batteries are really reliable, which will encourage more and more people to buy electric vehicles, he told this correspondent at the show.

PEVS 2025 is reaching wider. Edmund Araga, president of Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations, said ASEAN countries need to harmonize transportation regulations on a regular basis and to build certified vehicle test centers or laboratories.

"Within ASEAN, any certified vehicle test centers or laboratories could perform conformity testing that is badly needed in terms of giving trust and confidence to the consumers," Araga said in his presentation after the opening ceremony.

He also mentioned that EV standardization is necessary for ensuring that all EVs need a consistent level safety so as to reduce the risk of accidents and failures.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.