Students at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) have unveiled an electric motorcycle prototype named Laplace, designed to advance Indonesia’s shift toward zero-emission transport and promote homegrown technology development.
The project is led by the Faculty of Engineering as part of UNNES’s commitment to sustainable innovation. Dean Wirawan Sumbodo said the initiative reflects a shift from dependency on imported technology. “For too long, we have been users of imported technologies. It is now time for us to create homegrown innovations that serve our communities and support the government’s zero-emission agenda,” he said during an interview at the faculty’s Engineering Building E5 in Semarang.
Laplace is equipped with a 1.2 kW motor, a 60-volt battery, and a 1,200 Wh capacity, reaching speeds of up to 60 km/h and carrying loads of up to 100 kg.
On a single charge, it can travel 40–60 km, with an estimated charging cost of IDR 10,000 (about $0.60), compared to IDR 48,000 ($2.90) for equivalent gasoline use.
“This motorcycle is our initial prototype. We are currently working on a larger, high-performance version modeled after big bikes (moge),” said Hammam, the research team coordinator.
Built entirely by students, the chopper-style model features a hollow steel frame and a fiber-reinforced body. Development took four to five months at a cost of more than IDR 20 million ($1,220).
The prototype has been road-tested under various conditions and showcased at several innovation expos, drawing positive feedback from visitors and industry professionals.