Lebaran Travel Revolution: Electric Vehicles Take Center Stage

The landscape of Indonesian Lebaran travel is undergoing a notable change, wiht electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly gaining popularity, particularly among those undertaking the annual homecoming journey, or ‘mudik’. This shift is underscored by a dramatic increase in the utilization of public charging infrastructure.

Unprecedented Growth in Public Charging Usage

Data from PT PLN (Persero),the state-owned electricity company,reveals a staggering surge in the use of Public Electric Vehicle Filling Stations (SPKLU) during the 2025 Lebaran period. Transaction volumes at these stations have increased 4.9-fold compared to the previous year, signaling a major uptick in EV adoption for long-distance travel.

The interest of the community to use electric vehicles is increasing.PLN answers that needs by providing SPKLU facilities at each strategic point and all toll rest areas in the homecoming lane.

Darmawan Prasodjo, PLN President Director

This exponential growth highlights a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s transition towards sustainable transportation. As of early 2025, global EV sales continue to climb, with projections indicating further expansion in emerging markets like Indonesia. This trend is supported by government initiatives and growing consumer awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of EVs.

consumption Soars: A 5.8-Fold Increase in Electricity Demand

The surge in EV usage is further reflected in the electricity consumption at SPKLU locations. during the 2025 Lebaran period, electricity consumption at these stations jumped by an remarkable 5.8 times compared to 2024. Specifically, charging transactions during the Idul Fitri Alert period in 2025 reached 80,970, a substantial increase from the 16,513 transactions recorded during Eid al-Fitr in 2024.

Correspondingly, electricity consumption at SPKLU locations reached 1,950 megawatt-hours (MWh) during Eid al-Fitr 2025, a significant leap from the 334 MWh consumed in 2024. This data underscores the growing reliance on electric vehicles for long-distance travel during major holidays.

Strategic Expansion of Charging infrastructure

To accommodate the rising demand, PLN, in collaboration with its partners, has significantly expanded the availability of charging infrastructure across Indonesia. As of April 2025, there are 3,558 SPKLU units spread across 2,412 strategic locations throughout the archipelago.

Notably, along the high-traffic Trans Sumatra-Java route, PLN has deployed 1,000 SPKLU units across 615 locations. This represents a 7.5-fold increase compared to the previous year’s Eid period,demonstrating a proactive effort to support EV users during the peak travel season. The average distance between charging stations along this route has been reduced to approximately 22 kilometers, enhancing convenience and reducing range anxiety for EV drivers.

Looking Ahead: A Comfortable and Sustainable Homecoming

The strategic placement and increased density of SPKLU units aim to provide a seamless and comfortable homecoming experience for EV users. This initiative aligns with Indonesia’s broader goals of promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions.

We want people to experience a safe and comfortable homecoming experience using electric vehicles.

Darmawan Prasodjo, PLN President Director

As EV technology continues to advance and charging infrastructure expands, electric vehicles are poised to play an increasingly vital role in Indonesia’s transportation landscape, particularly during major holidays like Lebaran.