The Faculty of Engineering (FT) of the Universitas Indonesia (UI) and Petrosea displayed their collaborative Bus at the Busworld Southeast Asia 2024 event at the Jakarta International Expo (JIEXPO), Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. This event was not only attended by bus manufacturing companies, but also companies manufacturing parts, components, accessories, technology, and bus maintenance. Busworld Southeast Asia 2024 was attended by more than 58 participants from 6 countries.
Through the Research Center for Advanced Vehicles (RCAVe), FTUI and Petrosea presented a conversion bus from diesel engine to electricity (Motorized Vehicles with Engine Fuel (KB BBM) to Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles (KBL BB)). The FTUI team was led by the Head of RCAVe, Prof. Dr. Ir. Feri Yusivar, M.Eng., accompanied by Control Expert, Dr. Abdul Muis, S.T., M.Eng., and Dr. Ir. Aries Subiantoro, M.SEE. The Petrosea team that attended included Head of EV Department-Petrosea, Sahala Sigalingging, ST. M.Sc., and Petrosea’s Development Superintendent, Imanul Ilmi, ST, EV.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi visited the FTUI Electric Bus booth and discussed with the team the cost of retrofitting buses. On this occasion, the Minister encouraged the collaboration of electric bus conversion between academia and industry carried out by FTUI and Petrosea to continue.
The head of RCAVe, Prof. Dr. Ir. Feri Yusivar, M.Eng., expressed high hopes for the future of electric vehicle research. “We not only hope that this research will continue, but also experience significant improvements in technology development. With consistent and innovative efforts, we believe that the results of this research can make a real contribution to the industrial world.”
The implementation of electric vehicle technology in industry will realize energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The Dean of FTUI, Prof. Dr. Heri Hermansyah, S.T., M.Eng., IPU, emphasized the importance of collaboration and support from various parties to achieve this vision. “Collaboration between academics, researchers, and industry players is very important to realize this vision. We hope this bus will not only inspire the public to adopt electric-based vehicles, but also encourage local developers and industries to continue to innovate and develop environmentally friendly technologies. This initiative can be an important milestone in realizing more sustainable transportation in Indonesia,” said Prof. Heri.
The bus brought by RCAVe UI is a conversion bus from diesel engine to electric-based. This is the third bus made by RCave and the first in collaboration with Petrosea. This bus is the only one in Indonesia that is the result of conversion and can operate. The control system is also the work of FTUI researchers led by Control Expert and FTUI Electrical Engineering Department Lecturer, Dr. Abdul Muis, S.T., M.Eng. The bus, which has undergone operational trials with a distance of more than 400 km, is expected to become an operational vehicle in the UI campus environment and for use in the city.
Exhibition visitors seemed very enthusiastic about the presence of the UI Electric Bus. They not only rode the bus, but also asked various questions to the researchers and students present, ranging from technical specifications to the development process of this vehicle. This enthusiasm reflects the community’s pride and appreciation for the innovative work of the nation’s children and has great potential to change the transportation landscape in Indonesia. The exhibition, which took place on May 15-17, 2024, is proof that domestic products have strong competitiveness and are able to attract wide attention, and become an inspiration for the younger generation to continue to innovate.
