Electric car sales in Indonesia more than doubled in 2026. See the new features buyers are looking for, including second-generation batteries, flash charging, and V2L.
Electric car trends in Indonesia moved fast throughout 2026. Gaikindo recorded 117,218 electric cars distributed from factories to dealers between January and September 2026. That is up 112.25 percent from 55,225 units in the same period last year. Electric cars now account for about 17.26 percent of total national car sales.
The Jaecoo J5 was the best-selling model, with 26,635 units sold through September. The BYD M6 came second with 7,043 units, followed by the BYD Sealion 7 with 4,266 units. Chinese manufacturers lead the market with competitive prices and well-equipped technology.
Second-Generation Batteries and Flash Charging
Driving range and charging time remain major concerns for buyers. BYD’s answer is the second-generation Blade Battery, which has 5 percent higher energy density. Its capacity loss is claimed to be only 2.5 percent. A car could potentially travel up to 1,000 kilometers on a single full charge.
BYD’s Flash Charging technology supports charging power of up to 1,500 kW. The battery can go from 10 percent to 70 percent in just five minutes. News sources say the release is global and give no schedule for Indonesia.
The 800-volt architecture is becoming the new standard in premium and upper-midrange electric cars. This system supports ultra-fast charging in under 20 minutes for large-capacity batteries. Advances in battery chemistry, including early-stage sodium-ion batteries, are also pushing prices closer to those of gasoline cars.
Smart Features and Operating Costs
Connectivity features also shape what electric car buyers choose in 2026. Phone apps can monitor the vehicle’s condition in real time. The Chery Omoda E5 has a 15.4-inch infotainment screen and a range of up to 629 km. Digital infotainment systems and advanced safety features are also becoming common equipment.
Several models on Media Indonesia’s recommendation list come with V2L (Vehicle to Load). This feature lets the car’s battery supply power to devices outside the vehicle. Toyota is also expected to update the bZ4X in 2026 with improved battery thermal efficiency and the latest Toyota Safety Sense system.
Buyers also weigh cost. Mobil.id reports that operating costs for electric cars are much lower than for gasoline cars. Maintenance tends to be cheaper because the engine components are simpler. Some models can travel 400 to 500 km on a single charge.
Charging Infrastructure and Model Choices
PLN recorded 4,769 public charging stations (SPKLU) at 3,097 locations as of April 2026. The number grew mainly in Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya. BYD opened holiday travel support posts at six points, including rest areas on the Trans-Java Toll Road, starting March 13, 2026. BYD standby dealers were also open 24 hours during the peak of the homecoming travel rush, March 19 to 23, 2026.
Model choices now range from affordable city cars to SUVs and premium electric MPVs. IIMS 2026 featured the Suzuki e-Vitara, the iCAR V23, and the VinFast Limo Green. At GIIAS 2026, Aletra introduced the L7 electric LMPV, which is targeted to be the most affordable in Indonesia.
Globally, the IEA projects that electric cars will reach 29 percent of all new car sales in 2026. First-quarter sales dipped 8 percent due to policy changes in China and the United States. The second quarter rose 35 percent over the first quarter, with record sales in 50 countries.
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