Prabowo Unveils National Electric Motorcycle Strategy at Alva Plant to Drive Technological Autonomy

[Updated Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 8:03 PM WIB to include details on government consumer incentives, tax policies, and national energy targets.]

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto officially launched Indonesia's national electric motorcycle (molinas) ecosystem at the Alva manufacturing facility in Cikarang, West Java, signaling a major push toward technological self-reliance and domestic value-added manufacturing.

During the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, President Prabowo inspected active EV production lines, toured ecosystem exhibition booths, and signed a commemorative plaque marking the production rollout of 20,000 Alva electric motorcycle units.

The deployment of a unified national EV ecosystem transitions Southeast Asia’s largest economy from a passive consumer market into a self-sustaining industrial manufacturer. By integrating state-owned enterprises, private capital, and local supply chains, the initiative reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthens national energy security, and accelerates industrial downstreaming across local manufacturing corridors.

"Today’s event is very, very important and highly strategic because, in line with the President’s directive, we must be independent and stand on our own two feet for every economic activity taking place in Indonesia," Investment and Downstreaming Minister and Danantara sovereign agency CEO Rosan Roeslani stated during his report at the Alva plant in Cikarang on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.

Public-Private Synergy Drives "Indonesia Incorporated"

The development of the national electric motorcycle relies on tight synergy between state agencies, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), private entrepreneurs, and research universities. Government officials confirmed that all primary ingredients and technology recipes for the national vehicle framework are sourced and developed domestically.

President Prabowo highlighted the cross-sector alliance as a prime example of the "Indonesia Incorporated" doctrine, emphasizing that modern nation-building depends on mastering science and technological application.

"Today is a very important day, and I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to all elements—private companies, entrepreneurs, SOEs, and academia—who produced the experts forming the core of research and development," President Prabowo said during his opening speech in Cikarang on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.

Lessons From History to Guard Economic Milestones

Speaking to industrial workers, academic researchers, and young entrepreneurs at the facility, President Prabowo framed the technological launch within Indonesia's broader socio-historical journey. He cautioned that national progress has historically faced external interference and internal unrest whenever the country reaches an economic takeoff point.

"Open our history books. Unrest occurs every time we are on the verge of taking off—this pops up, that pops up, divide and conquer," President Prabowo stated during his address at the Alva plant in Cikarang on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.

"Brothers and sisters, especially young people, study history. A nation that does not understand history will be punished by history," President Prabowo added during his speech in Cikarang on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. "If we do not understand how other nations behave toward us, we will always fall victim."

Zero Down Payment and Carbon Taxes to Accelerate EV Adoption

To boost mass-market adoption, President Prabowo announced a comprehensive suite of consumer incentives, including zero down payment (0% DP) options and subsidized interest rates on installment plans for electric motorcycle buyers. He noted that switching from petrol-powered bikes to electric models offers minimal daily energy cost savings of 50%, with savings reaching up to 70%.

The government is also exploring trade-in schemes for existing petrol-powered motorcycle owners alongside restrictive policy measures in major urban centers. "There is something called a carbon tax—in major cities like Beijing, petrol motorcycles are barred from entry, so this serves as a warning for those still attached to gas-powered bikes," President Prabowo said during his address at the Alva facility in Cikarang on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.

Beyond consumer savings, the EV push anchors a broader national energy strategy aimed at halting fuel imports. President Prabowo emphasized that accelerating electrification works alongside the rollout of B50 biodiesel to eliminate diesel imports, replacing LPG with compressed natural gas (CNG), and building 100 Gigawatts of solar power capacity within the next four years.