A total of 1,143 Public Power Supply Centers (SPLU) are available in Jakarta. The use of electric vehicles in Jakarta can be done as long as it can wait a long time charging.
Head of Energy, Petroleum and Gas Energy, Department of Energy and Industry of DKI Jakarta, Edward Napitupulu, said that in 2017, State Electricity Company (PLN) has built 1,143 SPLU spread across Jakarta. According to him, the majority SPLU located in crowded locations such as street vendors selling merchants, parks and so it can be used.
However, Edward said, for four-wheeled vehicles or more who want to fill in SPLU requires at least about 4-5 hours. It was only done in a place that at least did not interfere with the mobility of other communities. As in PLN Gambir Building, Monas and in the Ministry of Energy Human Resources (ESDM).
"This year, PLN plans to build 1000 SPLU in Jakarta, because this year PLN will issue an electric motorcycle, if the car is not a battery or big enough power, so if you have a car want to wait a long time to fill it," said Edward when contacted yesterday.
Edward explained, to support the 2018 Asian Games event next August, it has indeed received a grant from PLN as much as 35 SPLU points. Later, the 35 SPLU points will be built around the 2018 Asian Games event.
Nevertheless, continued Edward, SPLU that can be used during the Asian Games was only able to have power for charging laptop and mobile phone charging only. In fact, Vice Governor of DKI Jakarta, Sandiaga Uno wants that when the Asian Games event begins, the electric bus can operate. At least in the Asian Games area as a show case first.
"We will coordinate with PT Transport Jakarta and PLN to supply SPLU special electric buses in the Asian Games area," he said.
Head of Public Relations of PT Transportasi Jakarta, Wibowo said that the use of electric buses in Jakarta is still being reviewed. Starting from the infrastructure, bus, to spare parts as what was delivered by Vice Governor Sandiaga.
"We are still doing the study and wait for the results to be able to determine whether or not the electric bus becomes a show case during the upcoming 2018 Asian Games," he said.
Meanwhile, urban observer Trisakti University, Nirwono Joga appreciate the government's breakthrough regarding the use of electric buses in Jakarta. But of course there is still a lot of homework to be prepared first.
Among which is, the time of use of the bus must be longer than the charging time, ideally 12 hours of operation; 4 hours of charging time should be shortened. According to him, too long charging would be ineffective; the location of the electric charging should be supported by the availability of parking space for the bus and the place to recharge the batteries.
"Does Jakarta already have a master plan for the development of public and private-powered electricity ?, it must all be prepared first," he concluded.
Previously, Vice Governor of DKI Jakarta, Sandiaga Uno said it had asked PT Transport Jakarta to immediately coordinate with vendors regarding the procurement of electric buses. He hopes, at the 2018 Asian Games event, the upcoming August, electric bus can be a show case.
"The president pointed out that Shenzhen is already 100 percent electricity and we want in Jakarta also have something that we start shifting to environmentally friendly transport," he said.