Ride-sharing companies Grab and Gojek have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), which will see the companies collaborate to build a network of charging stations for electric vehicles in the country.
According to a report by KrAsia, the MoU also involves Indonesia’s largest taxi operator Blue Bird, Chinese automaker BYD Auto, Indonesian public bus operator Transjakarta and Indonesian automaker PT Mobil Anak Bangsa.
“Grab is committed to developing the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia through an investment of USD2 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,” said Ridzki Kramadibrata, president of Grab Indonesia.
According to Grab’s official release, the company will conduct another pilot project to gauge the feasibility of the collaboration, and has already held trials for two- and four-wheel electric vehicles that are compatible with PLN charging stations. The company also offers a GrabWheels, an electric e-scooter rental service around the PLN office area for users who want to travel short distances.
Meanwhile, electric vehicles aren’t new to Gojek, as the company has tested the implementation of electric motorbikes (Honda PCX Electric) through its GoRide service since June. “At the moment, we are exploring the trial implementation for the next stage. We will increase the project’s scale by involving more vehicles, more drivers, and expand in more areas,” explained Nila Marita Indreswari, chief corporate affairs of Gojek.
The collaboration will also include a joint planning session to discuss the technical, business and legal aspects of the development and implementation of e-mobility in Indonesia, as well as 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.
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Can they first start by not burning the forest??