Banyumas Auto Enthusiasts Roll out Their First Locally Made Electric Car

Johanes said making the AHC 01 did not come naturally. “My friends and I had to make the car auto-didactically, as none of us have any automotive experience. Much of our experience making the car is based on trial and error.”

“Production costs for the car is approximately Rp. 30 to 40 million [USD 2,132.52 - 2,843.35]. But because of trial and error, it increased to Rp. 100 [USD 7,112.49]."

Defying the odds

Johanes and associates also had to contend with locals shaking their heads in disbelief. “Many jeered and insulted our efforts [to make AHC 01],” said Yanuardi Dwi Saputro. “They said ‘why bother? Nobody is going to buy the car. Stuff like that’.”

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“They do not seem to realize that electric cars are going to be cars for the future. If the project works out, I hope that it can be a viable source of employment for local people.”

Johanes and his crew’s first forays in automobile manufacturing have paid off, as they are currently working on a second unit - this time for a paying customer.

While electric cars are still practically non-existent on Indonesia’s cities, the men’s baby steps in that field might just begin to make a difference. 

(Writer: Fadlan Mukhtar Zain/ Editor : Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/06/18/08020181/ahc-01-mobil-listrik-buatan-pemuda-di-banyumas-yang-bisa-melaju-hingga-80-km?page=all#page2.