Asian automakers unveiled models that look to take advantage of Indonesia’s ambitious pivot toward electric vehicles at the opening of the capital’s annual motor show Thursday, hoping Southeast Asia’s biggest economy is ready for pricier but cleaner cars.

Toyota Motor affiliate Daihatsu showed off its electrified concept model for the first time. “It was made with Indonesia in mind,” said Soichiro Okudaira, the automaker’s president, adding that Daihatsu looks to bring hybrid vehicles to the country at some point.

Among other Japanese car companies, Mitsubishi Motors showcased a plug-in hybrid version of its Outlander, which will be its first electrified vehicle to go on sale in the archipelago nation, while Nissan Motor announced plans to sell its fully electric Leaf in Indonesia next year.

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For Indonesia’s general public, especially those living in the capital Jakarta, electric vehicles offer the prospect of relief from chronic air pollution. The city is one of the most polluted in Southeast Asia. Research by the Air Quality Life Index found that the “average Indonesian can expect to lose 1.2 years of life expectancy at current pollution levels,” while residents of Jakarta “can expect to lose 2.3 years of life expectancy if 2016 pollution levels are sustained over their lifetime.”

Continue reading at Nikkei Asian Review…