More Indonesian buyers pay upfront for electric cars, industry group says
AMBI’s acting chairman says buyers are weighing running and maintenance costs as EV prices overlap with those of conventional used cars.
Outright purchases of electric cars are becoming more common in Indonesia as consumers weigh ownership costs alongside the purchase price, according to Ricky Prawiro, acting chairman of the Indonesian Used Car Association (AMBI).
Speaking to CNBC Indonesia on 9 November 2026, Ricky said people continued to need cars for everyday activities despite difficult economic conditions. He said more buyers were choosing to pay for electric vehicles in full rather than take out financing.
More competitive EV prices have brought some models into price brackets also occupied by conventional used cars. Ricky said consumers were calculating prospective spending on petrol or diesel vehicles before deciding what to buy.
While a used car can offer an attractive initial price, buyers must also budget for servicing, component repairs and vehicle paperwork. Ricky said some consumers regarded a new electric car as more practical because they did not have to immediately consider expenses such as servicing and oil changes.
