Minister of Research and Technology, Bambang Brodjonegoro, and the Founder of PT Mobil Anak Bangsa, Jenderal (Purn) Moeldoko, photographed together with representatives of universities and institutions, including Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya (ITS), when participating in an industrial visit to PT Karoseri Anak Bangsa, which led to ITS and PT Mobil Anak Bangsa collaboration to develop electric cars.

ITS Campus, ITS News – A national private company engaged in the manufacturing of well-known vehicles, cars, and buses, PT Mobil Anak Bangsa (MAB) officially collaborates with a number of universities and research institutions, one of which is the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya, Thursday ( 26/11). This collaboration aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of electric cars both inside and beyond Indonesia.

The MoU of ITS and PT Mobil Anak Bangsa to develop electric cars, which was established at Kudus, Central Java, was also witnessed by the Minister of Research and Technology/Head of the National Innovation Research Agency, Bambang Brodjonegoro, and Founder of PT MAB/Head of Presidential Staff, Jenderal (Purn) Moeldoko.

Moeldoko explained that Indonesia is committed to the realization of emission reduction, one of which is through supporting the use of electric cars. This is also evident in Indonesia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, which states to reduce emissions by 29 percent with its own efforts and 41 percent with international assistance until 2030. “So, the existence of electric cars is also proof of the government’s efforts to actualize the common goal of reducing fossil energy usage,” stated Moeldoko. 

ITS Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng, expressed that collaboration agreement in the field of education, research, and community service regarding electric cars is a first for ITS and PT MAB. In addition, this rector who is familiarly called Ashari mentioned that this collaboration was the result of the Ministry of Research and Technology’s initiative to create an electric car ecosystem.

Ir Mochamad Ashari M Eng (left) when chatting with the Founder of PT MAB, who is also the Head of Presidential Staff, Jenderal (Purn) Moeldoko, during the industrial visit.

As an experienced researcher in the development of electric cars, Ashari revealed that ITS will help in the development of vehicle control systems. “Even though ITS has long been involved in the world of electric car innovation, more innovation and effort is still needed for commercial scale production,” commented this ITS professor of the Electrical Engineering Department.

Regarding this inaugural MoU, the Minister of Research and Technology/Head of National Agency for Research and Technology said that the triple helix collaboration is important to reduce the use of fossil fuels, which are limited and have the potential to damage the environment. This is in line with Presidential Regulation Number 55 of 2019 that discussed the acceleration of the battery-based electric motor vehicle program to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “Hopefully, with a solid triple helix synergy, Indonesia’s innovations can compete globally,” he concluded. (mia/ITS Public Relations)

The MoU between several institutions, including ITS, with PT MAB was witnessed by the Minister of Research and Technology, Bambang Brodjonegoro (far left), and Founder of PT MAB, Jenderal (Purn) Moeldoko (far right).