One Electric Motorcycle for Every 230 Sold in Indonesia
Only 18,900 electric motorcycles sold in Indonesia during the first eight months of 2026, against 5,016,421 total motorcycles distributed in the first nine months — a ratio of roughly one electric bike for every 230 new motorcycles, or less than half a percent of the market, SINDOnews Automotive reported. The figures, drawn from different time windows, show how far electric two-wheelers lag conventional engines in Southeast Asia’s largest motorcycle market.
Vietnam Sells 973,247 Electric Bikes While Indonesia Stalls
The gap widens against Vietnam, where 973,247 electric motorcycles sold in nine months — up 90.5 percent — accounting for about one-third of all new motorcycles in a market smaller than Indonesia’s, SINDOnews reported. VinFast, the challenger brand, grew 152.1 percent to take second place there, while Honda remains the market leader in both countries with 77 percent of Indonesia’s market.
Honda Controls 77 Percent as 2026 Subsidy Wait Stalls Buyers
In Indonesia, electric motorcycle sales fell 28.6 percent from 77,078 units in 2024, when subsidies were available, to 55,059 in 2025, SINDOnews reported. A planned incentive of about Rp3 million for 2026 has not materialized, and buyers are delaying purchases; the amount equals roughly 11 percent of the Rp28 million price of Honda’s ICON e:, according to SINDOnews. More than 30 brands, including Chinese manufacturers and local player Polytron, compete in the market, but none has shifted buyer habits at scale, SINDOnews noted.
Industry Group Calls for Fixed Subsidy Rules
The Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI) said market players welcome government steps to support green vehicles, but certainty in the rules matters more than announcements. “If it is not certain, it is better not to issue it because it can make consumers postpone purchases,” said Yosef Utama, head of AISI’s commercial division and organizer of IMOS 2026, according to CNN Indonesia and KatadataOTO. AISI puts current electric motorcycle penetration at 1 to 2 percent of the domestic market, compared with 20 percent for four-wheel electric vehicles, KatadataOTO reported.
Nine Models Priced From Rp2.9 Million to Rp7.3 Million
Affordable options exist despite the slow market. Radar Jabar listed nine electric motorcycles starting around Rp7 million, including the Uwinfly T78C at about Rp7.1 million with an 800-watt motor, 48V 18Ah lithium battery, top speed near 45 km/h, and range up to 50 km. Medcom.id reported additional budget choices: the ZPT Nimbas from Rp2.9 million after subsidies, with a 1,000-watt motor and 50 km/h top speed; the Viar NX at about Rp7.3 million with a 2,000-watt motor, 60V 22.3Ah battery, and roughly 60 km range; and the Exotic Sterrato and Mizone from Pacific Bike at Rp5.5 million to Rp5.9 million with 10-inch wheels. Buyers should still check battery capacity, range, motor power, and after-sales service, as a low price does not guarantee low long-term ownership costs, Radar Jabar cautioned.
Manufacturers Pursue Multi-Technology Path
AISI advocates a multi-technology approach that includes battery electric vehicles, more efficient internal combustion engines, and biofuels such as ethanol, Yosef told CNN Indonesia and KatadataOTO. The association notes that electric two-wheelers still face hurdles in performance, range, charging time, battery health, and financing ecosystem readiness.
Common Questions About Budget Electric Motorcycles in Indonesia
Indonesia lags Vietnam in electric motorcycle adoption, with electric motorcycles making up less than half a percent of new sales there compared to about one third in Vietnam. SINDOnews reported that Vietnam sold 973,247 electric bikes in nine months — about one for every three new motorcycles — while Indonesia sold 18,900 in eight months, or one for every 230. Vietnam’s growth was driven by VinFast, which rose 152.1 percent to second place.
SINDOnews reported a planned incentive of about Rp3 million for 2026 that has not been implemented, causing some buyers to delay purchases. The amount equals roughly 11 percent of the Rp28 million Honda ICON e: price.
KatadataOTO reported that electric motorcycles hold 1 to 2 percent of Indonesia’s two-wheeler market, while electric cars reached 20 percent of four-wheeler sales, aided by infrastructure and model variety.
Radar Jabar advised checking battery capacity, range, motor power, and after-sales service availability, noting that a low purchase price does not ensure economical long-term ownership.
The government’s 2026 incentive scheme is pending, and AISI has urged officials to either fix the rules or withhold the announcement to prevent purchase delays.