RI Needs Electric Cars to Help Solve Energy Problem, Says Minister

Jakarta - Research and Technology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta has said the country needs electric cars to help solve the nation's energy problem and preserve the environment. "As the research and technology minister, I always call on locally made-products to meet the community's needs," the minister said in a press statement here Saturday. Electric cars are very effective and efficient in replacing conventional cars using fossil fuel, he said. "Hopefully, with support from the President, the electric car project could be realized soon," he said. He added that the most important concern is that electric cars do not produce gas emissions. A plan for the mass production of electric cars will be prepared by experts from four universities, including the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM), the University of Indonesia (UI), the Technology Institute of Surabaya (ITS), and the Technology Institute of Bandung (ITB). The research and technology ministry will carry out comprehensive research on among other things, battery production and electricity supplying facilities for electric cars. (*)