UNS – The Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, in collaboration with the Magetan Regency Government, East Java, held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and a test drive of converted electric vehicles. The event took place at the Pendopo Surya Graha in Magetan Regency on Friday (6/12/2024).

The event was inaugurated by the Head of the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bappeda Litbang) of Magetan Regency, Elmy Kurniarto Widodo, S.T., M.T. The FGD brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, academics, industry practitioners, and local community members.

The FGD aimed to promote the findings and technology of electric vehicle conversion, which holds significant potential in reducing carbon emissions and boosting regional competitiveness. Additionally, the event featured a test drive of the converted electric vehicles, allowing participants to experience firsthand the benefits of this eco-friendly technology.

Elmy Kurniarto Widodo, S. T., M. T. emphasized that adopting electric vehicles is a tangible step toward utilizing environmentally friendly energy sources and aligns with the vision of the “Magetan Hijau” program.

“For this initial stage, we have converted three official motorcycles and one boat at Telaga Wahyu into electric vehicles. We hope this program encourages the people of Magetan to adopt electric motorcycles, further integrating electric vehicle ecosystems into everyday life,” Elmy said.

The Magetan Regency Government fully supports the development and implementation of electric vehicle technology to reduce air pollution and enhance the quality of life for its residents. It is hoped that the test drive event will raise public awareness about the environmental, economic, and social benefits of electric vehicle technology. This initiative aligns with Magetan’s vision to develop sustainably while prioritizing the well-being of its people.

Through this collaboration with FT UNS, Magetan Regency has demonstrated its commitment to accelerating the adoption of battery-based electric vehicles as part of the broader effort to establish Indonesia as a low-emission nation.

The Dean of FT UNS, Prof. Dr. Ir. Wahyudi Sutopo, S.T., M.Si., IPU, highlighted in his remarks that the transportation sector is one of the largest contributors to emissions. Therefore, he commended the Magetan Regency Government for initiating the adoption of electric vehicles.

Environmentally friendly electric vehicles will support the government’s goal of reducing carbon emissions and transforming Magetan into a sustainability-oriented region by integrating eco-friendly technologies into daily life.

In addition, the growing demand for electric vehicles will create various job opportunities in related industries, ranging from production and assembly to the management of charging infrastructure.

Prof. Wahyudi added that this initiative focuses on electric vehicle technology and aims to introduce renewable and sustainable energy concepts that can holistically support regional economic growth.

“Through this program, we hope to create new economic opportunities, particularly in the growing electric vehicle industry. This electric vehicle ecosystem will generate jobs, enhance regional competitiveness, and raise awareness about the importance of sustainability and environmental preservation,” he added.

FT UNS has submitted a proposal for a Regional Action Plan for implementing renewable energy in Magetan Regency as a concrete contribution. The plan involves increasing electricity demand through the use of converted motorcycles, electric motorcycles, public transportation, and smart city support infrastructure.

The electricity supply is envisioned to come from renewable energy sources produced in Magetan, ranging from household-level renewable energy to large-scale renewable energy systems, ultimately aiming for energy independence.

“We believe that the collaboration among institutions, government, and the community is crucial to achieving our shared goals of a greener and more sustainable Indonesia. Therefore, the Faculty of Engineering UNS is open to working together on various projects and innovations,” Prof. Wahyudi concluded. HUMAS UNS