Grab Soon Trial of Electric Vehicles in Jabodetabek Early 2020

Grab announced trials electric vehicle four and two wheels in Greater Jakarta, which is part of the The roadmap electric vehicle (EV Ecosystem Roadmap) in order to accelerate the adoption of more environmentally friendly transportation.

The launching was also attended by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Minister of Research and Technology and Head of BRIN Bambang Brodjonegoro; representatives from across ministries, and producer partners.

In the The roadmap, Grab will take advantage of a partnership with one of its investors Hyundai as a car manufacturer through local entities Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, Astra Honda Motor (AHM), and Gesits for four wheels. The vehicle will be paved at the beginning of next year.

The electric car that was brought was the Hyundai Ioniq Electric with a battery capacity of 38 kWh, capable of traveling 380 kilometers once charge enough to go around Jabodetabek. This product has been specially designed for conditions in Indonesia.

President Grab Indonesia's Ridzki Kramadibrata said that this electric car was named Grab Car EV and has ASK status (special rental transportation) black plated online taxi. It can be ordered in the application Grab. Availability is limited near existing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (SPKLU).

"The type of car provided by Hyundai is a new type specifically for Indonesia. From here we can address problem with leapfrog more advanced technology for Indonesia. The main problem in Jakarta is quite high pollution. Green step from Grab is to help produce better air," he said, Friday (13/12).

While for two wheels, the availability will be random, easier for users to get. The number of units available for the initial stage is 20 Hyundai cars, and 20 AHM and Gesits electric motors.

Motor unit used Grab from AHM is PCX Electric, capable of driving a motorcycle as far as 69 km powered by two portable battery units called the Honda Mobile Power Pack. Meanwhile, Gesits is a local electric motorbike manufacturer that has just been paved in Indonesia.

Executive Director Grab Indonesia's Ongky Kurniawan explained, considering this was a trial Grab will test the feasibility of the EV motor throughout the trip Grab, including for the delivery of food and goods. The goal is to get as much data as possible to remap its business model, forms of cooperation with driver partners, and so on.

"Besides, we want to know for charging stationwhichever is the optimal point. Of the two motorcycle brands that we use, we also want to know how far the durability is, both of them are made from different countries, one is native to Indonesia," added Ongki.

He also ensures that this electric vehicle will be driven by a driver-partner. However, the partnership scheme has not yet been determined. If you look at the business model in Singapore, it is done with a daily rental scheme.

"Not necessarily a scheme lease daily activities can be done here, whether it has to be an initial investment as it is now or not. We haven't decided on the final business model yet."

Build an electric vehicle ecosystem

Ridzki explained in building a new ecosystem, Grab do not run completely alone, need collaboration with various parties. Therefore, the company has engaged many state-owned companies in Indonesia, one of which is PLN to provide SPKLU.

In Singapore, Grab has 200 units of KONA type Hyundai cars since the beginning of this year. The company is also partnering with power company SP Group to deploy a public EV charging network for fleets Grab HOME.

In order to accelerate the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 55 of 2019 regarding the acceleration of the battery-based electric vehicle program (Battery Electric Vehicle), PLN cooperates with 20 strategic partners.

apart Grab, PLN partners with Gojek, BlueBird, Transjakarta, Mobil Anak Bangsa, Build Your Dream (BYD) as transportation providers.

On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that to support the electric vehicle ecosystem, Hyundai has shown its commitment to invest in Indonesia by building a special electric car factory.

"groundbreaking will start around March-April next year. This will help Indonesia to improve value domestically, so far we always export raw material, " he concluded.