While Malaysia sold 274 EVs in 2021, Indonesia sold 2.5x more with Hyundai leading

Just like its neighbour, Thailand, sales of electric vehicles (EV) in Indonesia are growing too, except calling it “growth” is an understatement. Explosion is more accurate as sales increased 571.4% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Granted, the total number of EVs sold in the archipelago last year is still significantly smaller than the Land of Smiles. According to data collected by Gaikindo courtesy of our colleagues at AutoFun ID, 658 units of EVs were sold in Indonesia in 2021 compared to the 1,643 units sold in Thailand.

Nevertheless, it's a huge jump from the 98 units that were sold in 2020 and Indonesia’s sales figures are also much higher than in Malaysia in the same period (274 EVs sold in 2021). Granted, the archipelago has a larger population than Malaysia so despite the higher sales figures, the Indonesian EV market is still very small all things considered.

Also read: MAA: Only 274 EVs were sold last year in Malaysia, less than 1,000 units registered so far

Leading the charge (no pun intended) is Hyundai with two of its EV offerings being Indonesia’s best-selling EVs in 2021. 360 units of the Hyundai Kona Electric and 228 units of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric were sold last year in the archipelago, up from 38 units and 59 units respectively in 2020.

Also read: 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric launched – Cheapest EV in Malaysia, from RM 149k

In a statement, President Director of PT Hyundai Motor Indonesia, Sung Jong Ha, has said that the Korean ‘Lambang H’ intends to bring more EVs into the archipelago including the Ioniq 5 which will be assembled locally in the country.

Also read: Hyundai confirms first CKD electric vehicle in Indonesia by March 2022 – Ioniq 5?

According to data obtained by AutoFun ID, only 5 EV models were listed by Gaikindo – the other 3 models in the sales chart are the Nissan Leaf, Lexus UX 300e, and the DFSK Gelora E.

Despite the DFSK Gelora E being the cheapest EV on sale in Indonesia, only 2 units were sold in 2021. The EV is offered in Malaysia where it is sold as the CAM EC35 and is the first fully-electric van on sale here with prices starting from RM 130,000.

Also read: From RM 130k, Malaysia’s first EV van is the CAM EC35; 80 PS/200 Nm, 268 km range

Besides, Gaikindo’s sales data does not include other EV models that were also sold in the archipelago including the Porsche Taycan and the Tesla Model S. Porsche and Tesla’s importers are not members of Gaikindo so perhaps the actual number of EVs sold last year could be higher.

Also read: Tesla Model 3 joins Indonesian Police fleet in effort to promote EVs

Still, despite the Indonesian government’s efforts to encourage the purchase of EVs in the country, it is still behind Thailand not only in terms of progress but choices too.

Also read: Thais bought 2x more MG ZS EV than Malaysia’s entire EV sales in 2021

While its government is encouraging carmakers and battery makers to set up hubs in the archipelago, on the ground, few Indonesians are willing to buy an EV. The country aims to have 400,000 electric cars and 1.7 million electric motorcycles by 2025 but it is a target that even the country’s Industry Ministry director said is still far off when compared to the actual progress.

Also read: Counter to EV ambition, Indonesia runs low on coal for electricity, bans exports