Sustainable Transition to Electric Motorcycles: A Multi-Level Perspective

Indonesia relies on more than 120 million motorcycles for transportation, contributing significantly to 20% of all transportation-related emissions in the country. In response to these environmental concerns, there is a growing global momentum toward electric vehicles (EVs), which offer a cleaner and more sustainable alternative. However, while the global adoption of EVs is increasing, Indonesia lags behind, with the lowest rates of EV adoption in the Asia-Pacific region. Jakarta is particularly notable in this context, as the province's motorized vehicle population continues to grow year after year. This growth is also driven by changes in government policy, which permit the purchase of motorcycles with a 30% down payment. On the other hand, the Indonesian government has set ambitious environmental goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2060. These goals include plans to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040 and to end their manufacture by 2050. This study employs the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework to analyze the dynamics of this transition, with a specific focus on Jakarta. By examining interactions at the landscape, regime, and niche levels, the study identifies key drivers—such as carbon tax policies, the reuse of ICE vehicle parts, and trade-in incentives—that facilitate the gradual adoption of EVs without disrupting the current regime.