Bali to Have Electric-Vehicles-Only Zones by 2023

TheIndonesia.id - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster affirmed that his side will promote electric vehicles (EVs) by designating EV-only zones in the province's tourist attractions by 2023.

"Battery-based electric vehicles, either electric motorcycles or cars, will be prioritized at tourist destinations from 2023," Koster stated during a seminar on electric vehicles here, Thursday, September 29, 2022.

The governor revealed that tourist attractions and regions that will be designated as EV-only zones are Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar, Ubud, Gianyar, and Nusa Penida. He said that using EVs in tourist attractions will boost Bali's image among foreign tourists.

The use of EVs for the G20 Summit hosted in Bali next November has elevated the island province's image as progressive in promoting renewable energy, he remarked. Koster said that to demonstrate his commitment to promoting sustainable EVs, he had requested authorities to retain EVs used for the G20 Summit in Bali.

"We have submitted our request to ensure (electric vehicles) remain in Bali," the governor remarked.

The governor drew attention to several advantages of using EVs in the form of easy maintenance, zero pollution and cleaner air, and affordable maintenance fee as compared to fossil fuel-based vehicles.

The governor spoke of having instructed provincial employees to start using battery-based EVs and encouraged Bali's youth to convert to using environmentally friendly vehicles.

"We will conceive a scheme with financial institutions and industries to attract more youth (to use electric vehicles)," Koster remarked.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo signed Presidential Instruction No. 7 of 2022 on the use of battery-based EVs as official operational and personal vehicles of central government institutions and regional governments on September 13, 2022.

According to the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Chief Moeldoko, the president also instructed ministers and regional heads to draft and enact regulations to expedite the utilization of EVs in their institutions and to plan the budget required for the transition to EVs.

Presidential Instruction No. 7 of 2022 will be Indonesia's push to take a leading role in the global community in the energy transition for realizing an advanced civilization, he stated.