Bandung (ANTARA) – Vice President Director PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM), Henry Tanoto stated that the public still opts for hybrid cars because they are fuel efficient, with low emissions, and can still contribute to the environment.
“Hybrid cars receive a lot of positive feedback from customers for their fuel efficiency, with the ability to travel 31 kilometers on just one liter of fuel, and many people buy hybrids because they want to contribute to the environment,” said Henry during the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest (TDCAC) 17th edition event at Taman Lalu Lintas, Bandung, on Thursday.
According to Henry, at Toyota, sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) increased to 6.4 percent of total sales in the first quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, electric cars accounted for 2.8 percent of total sales in the same quarter.
This means that Toyota’s hybrid cars still dominate total sales by about 70 percent compared to electric vehicles (EV).
However, he also acknowledged that the interest in electric cars is increasing as Indonesia’s government continues to develop the transition towards electric vehicles.
“There are different segments for each. Penetration into EVs will increase with new models and gradually improving infrastructure, while hybrids will also increase because they are still considered suitable for the mobility needs of consumers,” Henry stated.
Another reason why people still choose hybrid cars is that they do not have to worry about charging stations for batteries and the resale value of hybrids is still very good.
To meet the needs of consumers, Toyota will continue to increase the production of battery-based electric cars in the next two years and will also launch new hybrid-based cars this year. They will prioritize user experience with infrastructure that meets the needs of users in the electric vehicle ecosystem, such as charging stations, battery supply for electric motors, and repair services.
“If we want to increase EV penetration, it is not only about launching new models but also about creating a better ecosystem. Toyota and Astra also aim to build a better infrastructure like charging stations and repair services,” he added.
Reporter: Fitra Ashari
Editor: Zita Meirina
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