Any point to electric cars in Indonesia?

spicyayam

I have seen a couple of electric scooters in the north. Probably welcomed in many places, but I would wonder if there are any benefits here to the environment since (most?) electricity is produced by fossil fuels. I wonder if they are more expensive to run than gasoline? https://coconuts.co/bali/news/indonesian-government-to-conduct-electric-motorcycle-trial-in-bali/

Markit

Electric scooters would be wonderful! Imagine cruising through the rise-fields in complete silence and when your lithium battery runs out you just trade it in on the next corner warung for a fresh one. Imagine the road empty of all those juggernaut Pertimina trucks! And as to ecology I have yest to see my first catalytic converter here ...

JackStraw

I'm no scientist but to my knowledge, electricity is produced via burning fossil fuels/natural gas and to a lesser extent, coal. Unless Indonesia makes vast improvements to power it's electric grid entirely from wind and solar, then I don't really see how electric vehicles will reduce pollution here or help the environment. Today's gas-powered car engines are extremely efficient and clean compared to that of decades past. Car companies have been fast to advance this technology with the growing threat of electric cars. Aside from the side effect of less noise on the road, I see zero benefits to the environment by going electric. But of course, you know the bule overseas will eat this news up just as they did the plastic bag ban. Just another way to generate hype and attract more tourists to this already over crowded island in my opinion.