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The Boom of EV Charging Infrastructure in Indonesia: Private Sector’s Crucial Role

Indonesia is witnessing an electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure boom. Charging stations, known locally as Stasiun Pengisian Kendaraan Listrik Umum (SPKLU), are popping up across the archipelago at an unprecedented rate. This rapid expansion is driven by a synergy of government policy, state-owned utility (PLN) initiatives, and increasing private sector involvement. As EV adoption accelerates—thanks to growing environmental awareness, government incentives, and technological advancements—the charging network is racing to keep up. This blog post explores how supportive policies and active private participation are powering Indonesia’s EV charging infrastructure explosion, and what it means for current and future charging point operators.

Ghebyon Tohada Nainggolan
The Boom of EV Charging Infrastructure in Indonesia: Private Sector’s Crucial Role

Government Policy Accelerates the EV Charging Ecosystem

The Indonesian government has made electrified transportation a national priority, creating a favorable environment for EV infrastructure growth. A key milestone was Presidential Regulation No. 79/2023, which reinforced the program for accelerating battery electric vehicles and assigned PLN to spearhead charging infrastructure development. Under this mandate, ambitious targets have been set. For example, in 2021 the government aimed to install 572 SPKLU, and by 2030 it plans to build a total of 24,720 public charging units across the country. These targets signal a long-term commitment to an expansive charging network.

To back up these goals, authorities have introduced various incentives and regulatory simplifications. The Ministry of Energy has streamlined licensing—obtaining a permit to operate a public charger was once deemed medium-high risk but is now categorized as medium-low risk, with a fast-track online approval process that can issue permits in as little as 2 hours. This greatly lowers entry barriers for new charging point operators. Moreover, the government offers financial incentives, such as reduced electricity rates and fee waivers. Notably, SPKLU operators enjoy a special electricity tariff (around IDR 714 per kWh) and are allowed a capped selling price of IDR 2,467 per kWh. PLN also waives or discounts connection fees and subscription fees for the first two years for businesses partnering in SPKLU development. For EV owners charging at home, there’s a 30% off-peak electricity discount at night to encourage home charging. These policies—ranging from streamlined permits to subsidized tariffs—demonstrate the government’s supportive stance in cultivating a robust EV charging ecosystem.

PLN’s Initiatives and Public-Private Collaboration

As the state-owned electricity provider, PLN plays a central role in Indonesia’s charging infrastructure boom. Tasked by the government to accelerate EV infrastructure, PLN has pursued an aggressive rollout of charging stations while embracing partnerships to extend its reach. The company has committed to ensuring reliable power supply and an integrated platform for all new SPKLU installations. For instance, PLN provides the electrical grid connection and a digital backbone (via the PLN Mobile app), while partners focus on charger hardware and operations. This strategy allows charging stations to sprout in more locations than PLN could manage alone.

PLN has actively courted private investors and businesses to co-develop charging stations. In early 2024, PLN’s CEO emphasized that the utility “cannot walk alone” and must collaborate with all stakeholders to massively increase charging availability. This collaborative approach has led to a series of MoUs and joint ventures. In February 2024, for example, PLN signed agreements with five private partners – including PT VinFast and charging infrastructure startups – to deploy more SPKLU units in public places like malls and offices. By July 2024, PLN had struck deals with 28 business partners, ranging from EV associations to tech companies and vehicle manufacturers, to develop public charging stations, battery swapping stations for e-bikes, and home charging services. These collaborations aim to meet the government’s short-term target of adding 3,000 new SPKLU in 2024 alone, and to assure EV users that a reliable charging network will be in place wherever they go.

Just as importantly, PLN has enhanced the user experience and ecosystem surrounding EV charging. The utility’s mobile app now features an EV Digital Service platform that allows drivers to locate the nearest charger, plan routes, monitor charging sessions, and even request home charger installations. By integrating such digital conveniences, PLN is addressing range anxiety and making EV usage more practical. All these efforts by PLN, in partnership with government mandates and private actors, have laid the groundwork for an explosion of charging infrastructure.

Private Sector Steps Up: The Growing Role of Businesses

One of the most exciting aspects of Indonesia’s charging infrastructure boom is the enthusiastic participation of the private sector. Businesses large and small are recognizing the opportunity in EV infrastructure and are investing in charging stations across the country. This marks a shift from a purely state-driven project to a more dynamic market where private charging point operators (CPOs) play a key role.

Several domestic startups and companies have emerged as charging service providers. Firms like Starvo, Charge+, and Voltron now operate SPKLU networks alongside PLN. These companies install and manage chargers in locations ranging from shopping centers to office buildings, often branding the stations and integrating them with their own apps or membership programs. The presence of independent CPOs fosters healthy competition and innovation – EV drivers can now find charging stations not just through PLN, but also via apps from these private providers or even Google Maps and Waze which list SPKLU locations.

Established industries are also joining the fray. Indonesia’s state oil company, Pertamina, has begun installing EV chargers at its fuel stations to future-proof its business. Pertamina targeted over 120 SPKLU installations by 2024, inviting its gas station partners to invest in charging units. By 2023, Pertamina had already rolled out chargers at strategic gas stations in Jakarta and along toll roads in Java. The retail sector is not far behind: convenience store chains see EV charging as a new customer draw. In mid-2025, Alfamart, one of Indonesia’s largest minimarket chains, partnered with a private energy startup and PLN to host charging stations at many of its store locations. In this arrangement, the startup acts as the SPKLU operator while Alfamart provides the parking space and a steady stream of potential customers. Such win-win collaborations exemplify how private entities can integrate charging infrastructure into existing businesses, benefiting both the EV ecosystem and their own customer engagement.

Automakers and transport companies are contributing as well. Taxi operator Bluebird and ride-hailing firms have begun building charging hubs for their electric fleets, some of which are open to the public. Even international players like Vietnam’s VinFast have shown interest in building tens of thousands of chargers in Indonesia. All this private sector activity means that the infrastructure push is not reliant solely on government or PLN funding – entrepreneurial energy is propelling it forward. The result is a diversified landscape of charging providers and a faster rollout than would be possible otherwise.

A Nationwide Network: Charging Stations Now in More Places

Thanks to the combined efforts of PLN and private partners, EV charging stations are no longer a rarity in Indonesia. What began with a few pilot stations in Jakarta a few years ago has transformed into a sprawling network that is increasingly nationwide in scope. The numbers tell the story of this boom. In 2021, there were only a few hundred public chargers; by March 2025, about 3,772 SPKLU units were recorded across 2,667 locations. Just three months later (June 2025), the total surged to 4,062 charging units at 2,702 locations – a remarkable jump in a single quarter. These figures include stations operated by PLN, its partners, and wholly private operators, all contributing to an ever-denser network. For context, less than two years earlier (late 2023), the Ministry of Energy had only around 842 registered chargers on record. The growth curve is clearly exponential, indicating an infrastructure “explosion” indeed.

Not only are there more chargers, but they are also spread across the archipelago. Initially concentrated in Jakarta and other major cities on Java, SPKLUs have now reached all regions of the country. As of mid-2025, Java still leads with roughly 2,667 units on the island, reflecting the high urban demand. However, Sumatra now hosts over 400 charging points, many placed strategically along highways and rest areas for inter-city travel. Other islands are catching up: Kalimantan has over 200 units, Sulawesi nearly 150, and Bali-Nusa Tenggara-Maluku-Papua collectively around 170 units. This geographic spread means EV drivers can increasingly venture beyond big cities without worrying about finding a charging station. From tourist spots in Bali to remote highway stops in Lampung, chargers are becoming a common sight.

The impact of this expanded network is already visible in user behavior. EV owners are gaining confidence to use their vehicles more widely. PLN reported that by July 2025, charging sessions on its network had skyrocketed – 175,707 charging transactions were recorded in the first half of 2025 on PLN’s own 486 units at 292 locations, a 300%+ increase from the same period the previous year. This surge in usage reflects the growing number of EVs on the road as well as improved accessibility of chargers. The nationwide deployment of both standard and ultra-fast chargers is making electric mobility a practical reality in Indonesia.

Opportunities and Outlook for Charging Point Operators

For current and aspiring charging point operators, Indonesia’s rapid infrastructure expansion presents a landscape brimming with opportunities. The government and PLN have effectively laid out the red carpet for private investment in this sector – through policy support, incentives, and partnerships – knowing that private sector agility is key to meeting ambitious EV targets. The demand for charging services will only grow as more Indonesians switch to electric cars and motorcycles. This translates into a burgeoning market for those providing charging facilities.

Why become a Charging Point Operator in Indonesia now? Here are a few compelling reasons:

  • Booming Market Demand: EV adoption, while still in early stages, is accelerating. Each new EV owner is a potential customer who needs reliable charging. The 300% jump in charging sessions in a year signals that usage is taking off alongside vehicle sales. Getting in early as an operator allows you to establish brand presence and customer loyalty in this growing market.
  • Strong Government Backing: Rarely does a new industry receive as much policy support. From simplified business licensing to financial perks like subsidized electricity and waived fees, the government is actively lowering your startup and operating costs.
  • PLN’s Collaborative Approach: Rather than viewing private operators as competitors, PLN invites them as partners. The utility ensures the power supply and even provides a ready-made digital platform to connect your station to the wider EV ecosystem. This means even smaller operators can piggyback on PLN’s infrastructure and user base to gain visibility.
  • Diverse Business Models: The nascent stage of the industry allows for creativity. You might operate fast chargers at highway rest stops, standard chargers in mall parking lots, or even battery swap stations for electric motorbikes. Retailers like Alfamart have shown that hosting a charger can drive foot traffic. Fleet operators might partner for dedicated charging hubs. There is room for various models from pay-per-use charging, subscription plans, to advertising-supported free charging.

That said, prospective CPOs should also be mindful of challenges. Building charging stations requires significant upfront investment—fast chargers can cost IDR 300–600 million, and ultra-fast chargers up to ~IDR 1 billion each. While electricity tariffs for SPKLU are subsidized, operators currently earn a modest margin. Operators’ associations have been lobbying for higher allowed tariffs to improve return on investment. The government is likely to continue adjusting regulations to ensure the business remains attractive. In fact, by nurturing early infrastructure growth through incentives, the hope is that economies of scale will kick in—more EV usage will mean higher utilization of each charger, improving profitability over time.

Looking ahead, the outlook is extremely promising. Indonesia’s push for EVs is part of its larger strategy to reduce carbon emissions and modernize transportation, with a goal of net zero emissions by 2060. Achieving the lofty target of 24,720 SPKLU by 2030 will require thousands of new charging stations in the coming years, many of which will be built and operated by private enterprises. The “infrastructure explosion” is still in its early days – what we see now could be only a fraction of what exists a decade from now. This growth will create a competitive but fruitful arena for CPOs, with plenty of room for newcomers to claim their stake.

In conclusion, the EV charging infrastructure boom in Indonesia is a testament to effective collaboration between the public and private sectors. Government vision and support have set the stage; PLN’s leadership and openness have enabled rapid deployment; and private innovators are seizing the moment to build the fueling stations of the future. For aspiring charging point operators, Indonesia offers a supportive ecosystem and a rising tide of EV adoption that can lift new ventures to success. By grounding business decisions in data and partnering with the broader EV community, these operators can help shape a cleaner, electrified transportation landscape — and ride the wave of this electrifying infrastructure boom.

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