INTERNATIONAL – A young Indonesian innovator has created a plant-based fuel named BOBIBOS, claiming performance equivalent to RON 98 gasoline and production flexibility in any region of the country. The project, led by M. Ikhlas Thamrin and his team, follows more than ten years of independent research into renewable fuels that support energy self-sufficiency in Indonesia.
Ikhlas recounted that his interest in fuel innovation began during university when he protested high fuel prices and then sought to find a solution that could be produced affordably for everyday Indonesians. “We want to prove that this nation can stand on its own feet through science,” he declared at the fuel’s launch in Jonggol, West Java, on 2 November 2025. He emphasised that the new fuel is “cheap, safe and low-emission.”
Testing of BOBIBOS has already been carried out by Indonesia’s fuel-testing agency, Lemigas, which reportedly found the fuel had an octane rating of 98 and near-zero emissions. Ikhlas revealed that the fuel is derived from plants “that can be grown anywhere in Indonesia”—though he declined to disclose the exact raw material formula. He said: “BOBIBOS is not just energy but also hope. We want paddies not only to yield food but also fuel.”
The versatility of BOBIBOS is another key point: it is available in two variants, one for petrol engines and one for diesel engines. Field tests using both types in vehicles such as Toyota Fortuner, Nissan Navara, Alphard, Honda PCX and Yamaha NMax reportedly showed not only compatibility but better fuel-efficiency compared to conventional fossil fuels.
Read More: Construction Workers Hold Peaceful Protest Against Steel Imports
Supporters are already voicing optimism. Member of Parliament Mulyadi described the launch as a concrete step towards national energy sovereignty and estimated that full adoption could save Indonesia trillions of rupiah in fuel subsidies. He encouraged the government to back the innovation. Meanwhile, bus operator PT Primajasa Perdanaraya Utama stated it was ready to use BOBIBOS in its fleet across Greater Jakarta and West Java. “If Hino once went global through strategic partnerships, I believe BOBIBOS can too,” its owner remarked.
The implication of the breakthrough extends beyond technology: if the plant-based fuel can be produced locally across diverse regions, distribution cost and dependence on large refineries could decrease significantly. The fact that production is not limited to a few locations could help decentralize the fuel supply chain, reduce logistics burden and support rural economies. Ikhlas pointed out that unlike fossil-fuel processing requiring trillions of rupiah, “BOBIBOS just needs to be planted and can be produced anywhere.”
Challenges remain, including scaling production, ensuring consistent quality, securing regulatory approval, and integrating with existing fuel infrastructure. Yet the announcement of BOBIBOS represents a promising move in Indonesia’s efforts to transition from energy consumer to energy producer.
