As a form of support for the implementation of the Third G20 Sherpa Meeting in Yogyakarta, on September 26-30, 2022, Universitas Indonesia (UI) sent the Merah Putih Electric Bus to help mobilize delegates from G20 member countries attending the meeting. This eco-friendly electric bus took the delegates to the Yogyakarta Palace and Prambanan Temple. The 48-passenger electric bus is capable of traveling 250 km with only 1.5-2 hours of battery charging required.
UI Rector, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D.; Vice Chancellor for Finance and Logistics, Vita Silvira, S.E., Ak., MBA., CA.; and Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp,OF(K) also boarded the Red and White Electric Bus with the delegates, on the way to the Yogyakarta Palace. On the way to the Palace, the Director of Innovation and Science Techno Park UI, Ahmad Gamal, S.Ars., M.U.P., Ph.D., explained the structure of the bus and the process of making the bus.
According to Gamal, the Merah Putih Electric Bus is the only bus whose chassis platform, brake system, control system, inverter, dashboard, and air conditioning system were independently designed by UI experts and built by a domestic company. In addition, this electric bus has the highest Domestic Component Level (TKDN) in Indonesia for the large bus class with a length of 12 meters and a maximum weight of 16 tons, and can accommodate a passenger weight of 13 tons with a maximum speed of 120 km / hour.
Director General of Information at the Cambodian Embassy, Cheunboran Chanborey, shared his impressions after riding the Merah Putih Electric Bus. “I had the opportunity to ride an electric bus designed and produced locally by the Universitas Indonesia. This is a great bus and I am very impressed with the technological advancements on this bus. It’s great to travel around Yogyakarta on the Merah Putih Electric Bus. So, well done, the University of Indonesia!” said Cheunboran.
Arriving at the Yogyakarta Palace, the group was warmly welcomed by the Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. According to Sri Sultan, it was an honor for the Yogyakarta Palace to organize the Third G20 Sherpa Meeting. This momentum is even more meaningful because it is an important agenda for the G20 Sherpas to guide and pave the way to the Summit.
“I would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the G20 member countries for entrusting Yogyakarta as the venue for various G20 events through the agenda of the Ministerial and Deputy Level Meetings, Working Groups, and Sherpa Meetings,” said Sri Sultan.
On the second day of the Third G20 Sherpa Meeting, delegates were transported by Electric Bus to Wisnu Prambanan Field for a gala dinner after meeting at the Marriott Hotel. The plan is to use the Red and White Electric Bus again at the 2022 G20 Summit held in November in Bali.
The presence of electric buses in the G20 Presidency proves that Indonesia cares about the environment and supports efforts to reduce pollution. The existence of this electric vehicle innovation is expected to be an alternative to the need for renewable energy that is environmentally friendly as a point in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition, the work of the nation’s young generation also has the potential to strengthen the domestic industry, especially in the manufacturing sector for the improvement of the Indonesian economy.
