President Prabowo Launches EV Plant to Promote Sustainable Transportation

RRI.CO.ID, Magelang - President Prabowo Subianto has set a target for Indonesia to become a major player in the electric sedan industry by 2028. He announced the plan during the inauguration of PT VKTR Sakti Industries’ electric commercial vehicle assembly plant in Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

PT VKTR Sakti Industries, owned by the Bakrie family, is considered a pioneer in Indonesia’s electric vehicle innovation. The company has the capacity to produce environmentally friendly electric buses and trucks with reliable power.

“We now have the capacity in Indonesia to produce electric buses and trucks, which is very important. Indeed, our plan is to mass-produce electric sedans by 2028,” President Prabowo said at the inauguration ceremony.

The President emphasized that industrialization is a crucial stage in a nation’s technological renaissance. He stressed that technological mastery must be transformed into industries that deliver real added value to society and support energy self-sufficiency.

“Industrialization is the final stage of a nation’s technological renaissance. Technology must be processed into industries that benefit the nation. We now have electric buses and trucks, and their capacity is substantial, which is impressive. I received a report from VKTR that they can produce 10,000 electric buses,” he said.

At the same event, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Anindya Bakrie said electrifying buses and trucks could save up to USD 5 billion (IDR 84.58 trillion) annually in fuel subsidies.

“The fuel subsidy savings from electrifying buses and trucks could reach USD 5 billion per year,” Anindya said.

VKTR will focus on developing electric trucks and buses. Anindya acknowledged that these vehicles are not as widespread as motorcycles or cars, but he believes they will play a key role in expanding Indonesia’s electric vehicle ecosystem.

“We chose electric buses and trucks because they can be a pillar for the growth of the electric industry ecosystem. It’s not as attractive as motorcycles, which number 140 million, or cars, but it can drive a large ecosystem,” he said.

Anindya also explained VKTR’s history. Founded in 1975 by Achmad Bakrie as Bakrie Autoparts, the company initially focused on automotive components. It later became Bakrie Motor under Aburizal Bakrie in 1997, but was halted during the 1998 monetary crisis.

“This time, VKTR is continuing that journey, realizing the dream, and moving from components to complete vehicles — from gasoline to electric,” he said.

President Prabowo underscored that Indonesia’s current industrial achievements form a vital foundation for energy independence. With its growing capacity, Indonesia is no longer just a consumer but is entering the phase of becoming a producer of large-scale electric vehicles. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)