Kathmandu, August 16. The Indonesian government has urged its citizens to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) in a bid to expedite the transition towards cleaner energy, following a recent bout of severe air pollution that enveloped Jakarta.

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir, emphasized on Tuesday that the escalating air pollution crisis considered the most severe in the nation’s history, primarily resulted from emissions stemming from vehicles, industrial operations, and power generation facilities.

“While speaking at a virtual seminar, Thohir highlighted, ‘One of the solutions is to use alternative energy that is more environmentally friendly. Therefore, the government is pushing the transition from conventional fuel vehicles to electric vehicles.'”

He further added, “The air quality in Jakarta and its adjacent cities has deteriorated over the course of the past week. President Joko Widodo reported on Monday that as of August 13, the air quality index in the capital had reached 156, signifying a state of very unhealthy air quality. He attributed a major portion of this pollution to coal usage.”

Thohir stressed that a necessary shift in behavior is imperative, advocating for the adoption of electric motorbikes and cars as one tangible step toward change.

“Earlier in August, Thohir’s statement aligns with the Indonesian government’s call for citizens to switch to electric vehicles, aimed at mitigating air pollution following the unprecedented smog that gripped Jakarta.”

Media reports suggest that this move towards EVs marks a concerted effort by the government to address the critical air quality crisis, recognizing that the use of traditional fuels exacerbates the pollution problem.