Energy Transition in Remote Areas: Electric Bikes Transform Villagers' Mobility
The electric vehicle ecosystem is starting to reach remote parts of Indonesia. In Kalanganyar Hamlet, Karangankidul Village, Benjeng District, Gresik, most residents have switched to electric bikes for their daily activities. These vehicles are used by housewives, farmers, and even schoolchildren, replacing fossil-fuel vehicles and reducing the noise on village roads. This phenomenon has been going on for about two years, with an average of one in three homes now owning an electric bike.
Desi Munawaroh, a local resident, said that electric bikes are practical, easy, and don't need fuel. The operating costs are cheap because a single battery charge doesn't run out in one day and doesn't significantly add to household electricity bills. The flat village roads support the use of these eco-friendly vehicles, which are affordable at under IDR 5 million. Electric bike shops are also starting to mushroom in the Gresik area.
This energy transition is driven by the national nickel downstreaming. The government is shifting focus from exporting raw ore to value-added products like Nickel Pig Iron, ferronickel, and battery materials, with further development into precursors and Cathode Active Material. President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized the importance of processing natural resources for prosperity. Indonesia controls over 40% of the world's nickel reserves and is building an integrated battery ecosystem through the Indonesia Battery Corporation.
Although electric vehicle sales are increasing rapidly-with 114,413 electric cars in 2025 and 77,078 electric motorcycles in 2024-challenges remain, such as the dominance of imports and LFP batteries. The government continues to encourage the use of local resources, including coal for battery anodes, to strengthen the global supply chain. The impact of nickel downstreaming is now evident even in remote villages, making electric bikes part of everyday life.
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