Source: Jakarta Globe, October 12 2019 

BY YUDHA BASKORO

The Blue Bird Group, Indonesia’s largest taxi operator, has added two new electric vehicle models to its fleet in the greater Jakarta area. It introduced 25 Chinese-made BYD e6 all-electric compact multi-purpose vehicles, which will operate as regular Blue Bird taxis, and five Tesla Model X 75D mid-size all-electric luxury sport utility vehicles for its upmarket Silver Bird service.

The group plans to increase its electric vehicle fleet to 200 by next year as it seeks to contribute to efforts to improve air quality in the capital. It has calculated that its adoption of electric vehicles can eliminate 434,095 kilograms of carbon dioxide and save 1.89 million liters of fuel per year.

The taxi company, established in 1976, has installed 11 charging stations at its headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta. These will not be available to the public.

The company’s drivers spend on average Rp 100,000 ($7) on fuel per day, while it currently only costs about Rp 30,000 for a full battery charge, which gives the e-taxis an equivalent range of 400 kilometers. 

A driver charges a BYD e6 electric taxi at the Blue Bird Group’s headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta, on Friday. Photo: Yudha Baskoro/Jakarta Globe
The cars require two hours of charging, which drivers usually do in the afternoons, at the end of their shifts. Photo: Yudha Baskoro/Jakarta Globe
A driver charges a Tesla Model X 75D. Photo: Yudha Baskoro/Jakarta Globe
State utility company Perusahaan Listrik Negara supplies electricity for the taxi charging stations at the Blue Bird Group’s headquarters. Photo: Yudha Baskoro/Jakarta Globe