TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa and the Yogyakarta Governor, as well as His Majesty The Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, introduced the electric pedicab for tourism called Bekalista at Alun-Alun Kidul on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Purbaya, who rode around the Alun-Alun with the pedicab, stated that Bekalista is a form of community-based economic empowerment through electrification efforts by the central and regional governments.
"Tradition is not meant to obstruct progress, but to provide direction so that progress does not lose its identity," said Purbaya during the launch.
Purbaya mentioned that the pedicab has become an iconic transportation mode in Yogyakarta. By electrifying the pedicab, Purbaya hopes the transportation mode can remain sustainable and environmentally friendly.
A total of 80 beneficiaries are involved in this program, with 15 pedicab drivers representing them at the event. To support the sustainability of the program, the Bekalista ecosystem has been equipped with 12 charging stations, one mobile workshop, eight backup batteries, as well as a main workshop located at the Yogyakarta State Vocational High School 3.
All of these ecosystem developments reportedly use 100 percent local Yogyakarta labor. This includes everything from fabrication and assembly to electrical work and the development of the teaching factory in the vocational education environment.
"A strong economy grows from the people. What we are electrifying today is not just about the pedicab, what we are igniting are opportunities, hope, and the future of families," said Purbaya.
In terms of specifications, Bekalista is intentionally designed as a powerful, silent, safe, and emission-free tourism transportation solution. The pedicab is powered by a 750W BLDC hub electric motor with a planetary gear. It is equipped with a 48V, 30Ah LiFePO4 battery with a BMS and programmable controller.
Bekalista can reach a maximum speed of 18 km/h while adhering to the 15 km/h standard operating procedure (SOP) and can handle inclines of up to 10 percent. With a full charge, the vehicle can travel up to 50 kilometers.
To ensure the safety of passengers and drivers, Bekalista is equipped with a dual braking system (Dual Disc + Mechanical Brake). The wheels have a sturdy 28" 1.5" (Araya Super) size and 12G spokes. The vehicle has a capacity of one driver and two passengers, with a maximum load limit of 350 kilograms.
There are two types of electric pedicabs. The first is the Special Type, which has a wider and more comfortable 90 cm seating area, suitable for premium tourism areas with a maximum capacity of 2 to 3 adults.
The second type is the classic model, which has a more compact and agile design with a 70-centimeter seat width. It is ideal for navigating narrow streets or alleys and has a maximum capacity of two adults.
To support the optimal operation of Bekalista, a charging station has been prepared as a practical and efficient electric tourism charging station. This station features Dual Output with 2 power plug sockets, allowing for the simultaneous charging of two vehicles.
This station has an output voltage of 54.6 V at 10 A and offers fast charging in 2 to 2.5 hours.
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