It is at these stations that electric cars, buses and fleet vehicles, by way of approved connectors -- e.g., Type 2 connectors, CCS2 connectors, GB/T connectors, etc -- can recharge in compliance with national and international standards. It is essential to distinguish SPKLU from the older SPLU (General Electricity Supply Station), which was used for light uses such as street vendors or lighting. Only SPKLU is legally recognized as part of Indonesia’s EV charging business ecosystem, opening opportunities for property developers, fleet operators, and energy investors.
An SPKLU is not merely a charge point. Its essential services are: Providing power in the form of AC or DC to drive or recharge EV batteries effectively, safely and efficiently. Targeting both private and public users, such as commercial fleets, residential apartment residents or the city office. Working in Indonesia’s national grid, directly via PLN connections or through hybrid setups that combine solar (PV) and energy storage (ESS). Each SPKLU needs to fulfill rigorous technical and legal requirements. Under Permen ESDM No. 1/2023, chargers must be certified, grid-safe, and interoperable; all stations need to support a reliable and standardized national EV ecosystem.
SPKLU vs SPLU – What’s the Difference?
SPKLU vs SPLU – Differences Many often confuse SPLU with SPKLU – SPKLU for Public Electric Recharge Station. The two serve very different ends in practice: Term Meaning Primary Purpose SPKLU Public EV Charging Station (Stasiun Pengisian Kendaraan Listrik Umum) Charging an electric vehicle (cars, buses and fleets) under rigorous technical and regulatory compliance (Permen ESDM No. 1/2023) SPLU General Electricity Supply Station (Stasiun Penyedia Listrik Umum) supplying basic electricity for portable uses (e.g. street vendors, lighting) and not EV charging purposes.
| Term | Meaning | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| SPKLU | Public EV Charging Station (Stasiun Pengisian Kendaraan Listrik Umum) | Dedicated to charging electric vehicles (cars, buses, fleets) under strict technical and regulatory compliance (Permen ESDM No. 1/2023). |
| SPLU | General Electricity Supply Station (Stasiun Penyedia Listrik Umum) | Provides basic electricity for light, portable uses (e.g., street vendors, lighting), not designed for EV charging. |
Currently, both state and private companies are permitted to create charging stations at strategically located locations throughout Indonesia. Typical sites include: Toll road rest areas, where charging facilities are mandatory under the national EV roadmap.
Where Can SPKLU Be Installed?
Commercial locations, such as shopping malls or office towers, and mixed-use areas, where EV drivers can charge their vehicles. Homes and vehicle depots where operators can place charging stations for tenants, ride-hailing vans or logistics vehicles.
All public parking areas, such as airports, train stations, and city centers, where EV infrastructure facilitates mobility services. This flexibility makes it no longer exclusive to PLN to operate SPKLU. Private developers, landowners, and investors should be able to build SPKLU projects (standalone or in collaboration with PLN) as long as they fulfill licensing requirements (e.g., IUJPTL) and technical standards laid out in Permen ESDM No. 1/2023. For investors and property owners, location is not just a project’s window of vision — it defines the power supply, the prospect of grid connections and in the end commercial viability of the SPKLU project.
Who Can Build an SPKLU?
It is no longer limited to state-owned enterprises; anyone can establish an SPKLU. Today stakeholders can create charging stations as long as they meet regulatory and technical requirements.
This encompasses:
- Mall and commercial property owners willing to implement EV charging as a value-add service.
- Real estate developers putting SPKLU into apartments, offices or mixed-use projects.
- Fleet operators (logistics, ride-hailing or mass transport) requiring dedicated charging infrastructure
- Private investors or landowners looking to monetize strategic locations such as parking areas or rest stops.
Pingalax allows you to move in either direction – running your self-reliant operation, you can have full governance and your own control, or connect to PLN’s network for wide public share. Equipped with certified chargers, OS platforms and app integrations, Pingalax is ensuring that every project is technically robust and regulation-ready.
Is There a Business Model?
Yes. There are several business models that could potentially work with the different development types and types of investors:
- Land lease model – you would have land and would lease to a licensed charging operator who’d make steady rental income from you without running day to day operations.
- Owner-operator model – You are the owner and operator of the SPKLU, so you are in control of pricing and operations and the customer service (to some extent there are limits and licensing).
- PLN Partnership – You own the site and plug into PLN’s ecosystem – where you work in accordance with national regulations and generate revenues across the board.
Generating income through service fees (regulated by Permen ESDM No. 1/2023 and Kepmen 182.K/2023) and can be optimized further with load management systems, solar integration and smart OS platform (Pingalax OS).
This blog is from the SPKLU Developer Series, helping stakeholders gradually approach the key concepts:
- Selecting the appropriate deployment model.
- Understanding licensing and documentation requirements.
- How to manage tariffs.
- Being compliant technically, and compliance-minded.
- Preparing the site and the energy sources.
Each article is pragmatic, actionable, and tailored for actual deployment. All documents will be brought together into a complete SPKLU Developer Whitepaper addressing deployment models, licensing, tariffs, technical standards, and site readiness.
Want the Full A–Z Guide?
All blog articles will be compiled into a complete SPKLU Developer Whitepaper, including:
