Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PT Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) with Equipmake Holdings Plc, a UK-based commercial vehicle electrification specialist, and PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas.

This MoU is a good sign, we have a target of 2030, hope all buses in Jakarta will already use electricity

The MoU signing was carried out by Transjakarta Managing Director M. Yana Aditya; PT VKTR Mobility Technology President Director Gilarsi W. Setijono; Equipmake Holdings Plc CEO Ian D Foley; Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub) Head Syafrin Liputo, at the Transjakarta Head Office, East Jakarta, Thursday  (8/18) afternoon.

It aimed at accelerating the transition to an electric-powered fleet.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor fully supported the breakthroughs and collaborations made by PT Transjakarta, the Jakarta Transportation Service, and stakeholders in the effort to accelerate the electrification of the bus fleet by replacing conventional engines with electric-driven engines, called retrofitting. Efforts or methods have also been used in various countries.

"On behalf of the Governor and the Jakarta administration, I'm very happy and appreciate the MoU today, as this is something good and extraordinary. Now, everything has turned to electricity. We have seen several countries, like Switzerland/Norway, there are already cities where electricity is mandatory. I think Jakarta is because as a global city, surely we can," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Friday (8/19).

He added that Jakarta had started to introduce 30 electric buses, and the quantity and quality had to be increased.

That was why Transjakarta did the signing with the owner of the technology as well as retrofit components, and Vector as the licensee who will manufacture the retrofit machine.

"30 out of 3,500 buses already used electricity. All of them are targeted to use the same system in 2030. While one of the no less important efforts is to change or convert the engine from diesel to electric or electricity," he explained.

He assessed that the three-party cooperation is expected to meet the target of electrification of 10,000 Transjakarta buses by 2030 and increase domestic manufacturing capabilities.

As for the information, Equipmake and Vector are currently preparing to manufacture electric bus engines by retrofitting them to meet Transjakarta's needs.

"We are optimistic because it has been successfully carried out in several countries. It's a good effort, it's a great breakthrough, hopefully, it can be realized soon. This MoU is a good sign, we have a target of 2030, hope all buses in Jakarta will already use electricity," he explained.

On the same occasion, he also expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in the collaboration.

"So, this MoU is important. Thank you all involved, this is an extraordinary work," he closed.