EVs in Indonesia

[bloo]

I'm in Jakarta, and the site loads fine. Good to know that .id domains aren't geoblocked.

SUVs are almost a necessity here. There are potholes on many of the roads - some are downright miserable. Seasonal flooding is also a thing. Colossal traffic jams negate much of the fuel efficiency a smaller car would give.

Even so, EVs have become popular in Jakarta. They do well in the constant stop-and-go traffic. The apartment complex where we stay has two EV chargers near the entrance. Every morning, there's a BYD in one or both spaces. I've seen two M6 SUVs, an Atto 3 compact hatch, and an Atto 1 subcompact hatch being charged.

BYD has a strong presence on Indonesian roads. M6 seems to be most popular, followed by the Atto. The Dolphin is less popular.

I've also seen less popular Chinese EV brands here, like Geely and Chery.

VinFast is also sold here, but not very popular.

It's kinda sad a developing country is more accepting EVs than the US. I hope Slate changes that.

 

[AKrietzer]

What are the new prices like, is there any truck comparable to Slate?

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Did you see any of the Hilux EV there?
Probably the closest to the Slate, except designed as a work truck on an existing platform.

 

[beatle]

They're probably more accepting of EVs because they have access to way less expensive options there. For example, the Atto 3 is priced like the Slate (probably), and the Atto 1 is only $12k!

I hear traffic is absolutely horrendous in Jakarta. EVs do great in traffic since they're just powering the AC compressor and maybe the radio.

 

[bloo]

Did you see any of the Hilux EV there?
Probably the closest to the Slate, except designed as a work truck on an existing platform.

I've not seen the Hilux here - gas, diesel, or electric. Never seen a crew-cab, either. The long-nose body style is not considered practical.

Nearly all pickup trucks in Indo are cab-overs with a long bed and small two-door cab. They're mostly Daihatsu and Mitsubishi with tiny 1.0 to 1.5 liter engines mated to a stick shift. Never seen an automatic. Top speed is 100kph, or so. Most models don't have aircon; none have heat.

Indonesians don't see trucks as lifestyle vehicles. These are put to work and can carry a metric ton of whatever in the bed. I don't know how much one of these will tow, but they're not often used that way. Brutal traffic congestion and highly variable road conditions make towing largely impractical here.

 

[bloo]

They're probably more accepting of EVs because they have access to way less expensive options there. For example, the Atto 3 is priced like the Slate (probably), and the Atto 1 is only $12k!

I hear traffic is absolutely horrendous in Jakarta. EVs do great in traffic since they're just powering the AC compressor and maybe the radio.

Jakarta traffic sucks. Local drivers can turn a three lanes into five. There isn't enough road for all the vehicles on it.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

Are Izuzu short cab long bed trucks common there? They were everywhere in Thailand when I was there a few years ago. The rest of your descriptions are very similar, haha.

 

[bloo]

Are Izuzu short cab long bed trucks common there? They were everywhere in Thailand when I was there a few years ago. The rest of your descriptions are very similar, haha.

We get the large Isuzu cabovers here. Two doors only, but with a bed larger than anything Stateside. The engine is diesel - 2.5 liter, I think. In any case it's large enough to run aircon as an option. Those suckers can haul a lot.

Isuzu used to have the slogan, "Rajanya Diesel" - The King of Diesels. They and Toyota had formed a partnership that pretty much started the SUV craze here thirty years ago. Izusu built the popular Panther and Black Panther seven passanger vehicles with the 2.5 liter diesel. Toyota built the more upscale *Kijang and Kijang Extra with the same frame, but used their own gasoline engine.

*Kijang means "antelope" in Basasa Indonesia.