Banyumas Auto Enthusiasts Roll out Their First Locally Made Electric Car

PURWOKERTO, KOMPAS.com – The dune buggy-like car weaved its way through the main square of Purwokerto, the main town of Central Java’s Banyumas Regency, as its creators took the car for a spin.

The hype surrounding the car dubbed the AHC 01 prototype has drawn none other than Banyumas Regent Achmad Husein, who also got behind the wheel.

Local engineer Johanes developed the AHC 01, with a little help from four youths from Purwokerto's Kober district.

“I was inspired to develop the AHC 01 following President Jokowi’s 2019 order on developing battery-powered electric cars,” said Johanes in an interview at his home and workshop.

“I also wanted to make the car to help local youths be more self-sufficient.”

A simple power plant

Johanes said that he and his associates have been researching and manufacturing the car since August 2019.

“The AHC 01 is powered by six 12-volt dry batteries. The propulsion system is quite simple, as electricity from the batteries powered the car engine.

“The car also has three gears, two forward and one in reverse.

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“The car is then powered and controlled by a custom made controller," he added. "Many of the materials are readily available in Purwokerto.”

The batteries need up to six hours to fully charge the AHC 01, which can accommodate two people.

“Right now the car has a top speed of 80 kilometers an hour, and is currently undergoing speed trials of distances up to 70 kilometers,” Johanes said of the 300-kilogram vehicle.

“But it can cover a range of 110 to 120 kilometers at cruising speed.”

KOMPAS.COM/FADLAN MUKHTAR ZAIN Electric car workshop in Purwokerto

Learning by doing

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.