Just like its neighbour, Thailand, sales of electric vehicles (EV) in Indonesia are growing too, except calling it “growth” is an understatement. Explosion is more accurate as sales increased 571.4% in 2021 compared to 2020.
Granted, the total number of EVs sold in the archipelago last year is still significantly smaller than the Land of Smiles. According to data collected by Gaikindo courtesy of our colleagues at AutoFun ID, 658 units of EVs were sold in Indonesia in 2021 compared to the 1,643 units sold in Thailand.
Nevertheless, it's a huge jump from the 98 units that were sold in 2020 and Indonesia’s sales figures are also much higher than in Malaysia in the same period (274 EVs sold in 2021). Granted, the archipelago has a larger population than Malaysia so despite the higher sales figures, the Indonesian EV market is still very small all things considered.
While MG dominates Thailand's EV market in 2021, in Indonesia, it's Hyundai
Leading the charge (no pun intended) is Hyundai with two of its EV offerings being Indonesia’s best-selling EVs in 2021. 360 units of the and 228 units of the were sold last year in the archipelago, up from 38 units and 59 units respectively in 2020.
In a statement, President Director of PT Hyundai Motor Indonesia, Sung Jong Ha, has said that the Korean ‘Lambang H’ intends to bring more EVs into the archipelago including the which will be assembled locally in the country.
| 2021 Indonesia wholesale EV sales figure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Sales (Units) | |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 360 | |
| Hyundai Ioniq Electric | 228 | |
| Nissan Leaf | 42 | |
| Lexus UX 300e | 26 | |
| DFSK Gelora E | 2 | |
According to data obtained by AutoFun ID, only 5 EV models were listed by Gaikindo – the other 3 models in the sales chart are the , , and the DFSK Gelora E.
Malaysian-spec DFSK Gelora E shown, badged under the CAM brand
Despite the DFSK Gelora E being the cheapest EV on sale in Indonesia, only 2 units were sold in 2021. The EV is offered in Malaysia where it is sold as the CAM EC35 and is the first fully-electric van on sale here with prices starting from RM 130,000.
The Tesla Model 3 police car that went viral last year was a loaner unit
Besides, Gaikindo’s sales data does not include other EV models that were also sold in the archipelago including the and the Tesla Model S. Porsche and Tesla’s importers are not members of Gaikindo so perhaps the actual number of EVs sold last year could be higher.
You could rent these out in Bali or take a flying taxi instead
Still, despite the Indonesian government’s efforts to encourage the purchase of EVs in the country, it is still behind Thailand not only in terms of progress but choices too.
While its government is encouraging carmakers and battery makers to set up hubs in the archipelago, on the ground, few Indonesians are willing to buy an EV. The country aims to have 400,000 electric cars and 1.7 million electric motorcycles by 2025 but it is a target that even the country’s Industry Ministry director said is still far off when compared to the actual progress.
Keyword: While Malaysia sold 274 EVs in 2021, Indonesia sold 2.5x more with Hyundai leading