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First Volta factory to churn out 5,000 e-motorcycles per month
The first manufacturing plant of the Indonesian electric motorcycle maker is targeting an annual production output of 60,000 vehicles, collaborating with PT Energi Selalu Baru to install battery swapping stations from Java to Bali.
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T Volta Indonesia Semesta aims to manufacture 60,000 electric two-wheelers per year at its new factory in the Central Java capital of Semarang, inaugurated on Nov. 11.
Located in the city’s Terboyo Industrial Area, the facility is the first electric vehicle (EV) factory operated by Volta, the young joint venture of retail services company PT NFC Indonesia and parcel delivery service PT SiCepat Ekspres Indonesia.
Semarang Mayor Hendrar Prihadi, who officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony, congratulated the company on its new factory.
"In the middle of the pandemic, many companies have gone out of business [and] investment can be complicated. But PT Volta Indonesia Semesta, in opening [its new] factory, has invested much in the city of Semarang. I wish Volta and [NFC] a successful, smooth and blessed journey ahead," said the mayor, adding that EVs could help reduce air pollution in Indonesia.
EVs are often touted as a cleaner alternative to conventional gasoline vehicles, but their carbon footprint depends largely on the source of the electricity used to charge their batteries. Most electricity in Indonesia is generated from power plants fuelled by coal and other fossil fuels, casting doubt on EV technology’s environmental benefits to the country.
The Semarang mayor shared the stage with Volta CEO and director Willty Awan, who said the inauguration of the new factory reflected the government’s commitment to supporting the company as part of the nation’s EV plan.
“We are optimistic that we can produce 5,000 electric motorcycles a month to reach 60,000 units annually,” he said.
The country has been making significant process in recent months in its ambition to become a major player in the EV industry. It is specifically targeting manufacturing electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) and leveraging supplies of key materials like nickel, of which it is the world’s largest producer.
Read also: Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution start work on SE Asia’s first EV battery plant
PT Energi Selalu Baru is to provide the battery replacement system for Volta's electric motorcycles, with plans to install 100 battery swapping stations in Greater Jakarta and 50 others across Bandung, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya and Bali. Meanwhile, a mobile application is to be developed that informs users about nearby charging stations and their EVB supply.
Battery swapping facilities will also be made available at SiCepat distribution locations, according to Volta’s press release.
