PT VKTR Teknologi Mobilitas (VKTR), a subsidiary of PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk (BNBR) which is engaged in manufacturing transportation electrification and telematics ecosystem, inaugurated PENS – VKTR Innovation Lab of Transport Electrification at the Surabaya State Electronics Polytechnic (PENS) campus, in Surabaya , East Java, Monday (30/5/2022). This event was marked by the handover of the BYD type K9 electric bus by the President Director of PT VKTR Mobilitas Technology Gilarsi W. Setijono to the PENS Director Aliridho Barakbah.

Gilarsi said the establishment of the EV Innovation Lab was a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding signed by the two parties, which agreed on a number of strategic steps to realize cooperation in the fields of research, development and innovation of transportation electrification technology. “This collaboration between VKTR and PENS will lead to three things: the development of telematics and mechatronics components, repowering buses and public transportation from gasoline engines to electricity, and developing electric motor technology,” said Gilarsi.

In terms of developing telematics, continued Gilarsi, VKTR together with PENS will conduct an in-depth study of the telecommunications and informatics aspects in electric vehicles. Meanwhile, in terms of mechatronics, the study will mostly focus on aspects of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and software in electric vehicles. “From this study, God willing, in the future we will be able to independently develop the telematics and mechatronics aspects of electric vehicles,” said Gilarsi.

This collaboration also includes studies that will allow VKTR and PENS to build an industry capable of converting public transportation from fossil fuel-fueled engines to electric vehicles. “Together with PENS, we will also develop electric motor technology. One of them is by presenting an electric motor that has self-balance technology, so it is much more comfortable to drive than the existing motorbikes,” he explained.

The Director of PENS, Aliridho Barakbah, S.Kom, Ph.D. welcomed this collaboration. Collaboration with VKTR is a breakthrough that will help build a culture of innovation on campus. “We strive to continue to build a culture of innovation in PENS. In accordance with the theme of the 34th PENS Anniversary, namely Education, Creation and Synergy towards the Innovation Campus, this collaboration is a real form of maintaining the spirit of PENS as an Innovation Campus. an effort to create an ecosystem that supports each other in the long-term and sustainable electrification of transportation in Indonesia, by universities and industry,” said Aliridho.

The development of a research and innovation center in the field of transportation electrification between PENS and VKTR will actively involve PENS students in the process of research and innovation. In the future, it is possible for PENS to establish a study program on electrification of transportation. This aims to prepare human resources who have competence in this field, so that they can encourage and accelerate the development of EV factories and EV infrastructure in Indonesia.

Jakarta – Surabaya Electric Bus Trip

PT VKTR Mobilitas Technology (VKTR) brought 1 unit of electric bus brand BYD type K9 at the PENS Campus. The bus with a length of 12 meters, a width of 2.5 meters and a height of 3.3 meters is driven via the Transjawa toll road, from Jakarta to Surabaya, with 9 passengers. “This bus unit will be one of the main concerns of the research that will be carried out by the EEPIS Research Team in the future,” explained Gilarsi.

On the way, this bus covers a distance of approximately 796 kilometers. Along the way, the bus recharging 2 times, namely at the PLN Pekalongan Office, Central Java and PLN Ngawi, East Java. “In a full battery condition, this bus can cover a distance of 200 to 250 kilometers in the city and 400 to 500 kilometers on the highway with an average speed of 50 km/hour. We thank PLN for fully supporting this electric bus journey, so that it can reach its destination smoothly and safely,” added Gilarsi.

Gilarsi said, due to the lack of charging stations, during its journey the electric bus was conditioned to only run at a maximum speed of 70 km per hour. This is done to save battery power. “The process of adding power to this electric bus takes 3 to 4 hours, from 0 percent to 100 percent. The charging duration will be shorter if the battery condition is above 50 percent when adding power. So, if there are many electric vehicle charging stations available along the Transjawa toll road, I believe the trip will save more time,” he explained.

Collaborate with Various Parties

Previously, VKTR had signed strategic partnerships with a number of parties. These include the world’s leading electric bus manufacturer BYD Auto, the British environmentally friendly battery manufacturer British Volt, the car body company Tri Sakti, the British heavy mobility technology company Equipmake and a number of other parties.

According to Gilarsi, cooperation with various parties, from electric vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers, manufacturers, to higher education institutions is indeed one of the ways taken by VKTR for the desire to localize technology. “We want to ensure that the transportation electrification ecosystem in Indonesia is built completely and not half-assed, from upstream to downstream. We are not only building the facilities for the bus body, but we are also thinking about the chassis manufacturing facilities and mechatronic technology and other things,” said the former president director of PT Pos Indonesia.

Furthermore, Gilarsi said that in the future his party believes that the technology and industrialization of electric vehicles in Indonesia will develop very quickly. “We have prepared a number of plans to continue to expand partnerships with parties with different expertise. This we do to ensure mastery of the right technology for the Indonesian market. We will also expand the range of VKTR products to areas other than DKI Jakarta. With the support of the government, related businesses and the wider community, VKTR will be able to become a major player in the electric vehicle business and industry to be proud of,” he concluded.