JAKARTA – Filling up a car or scooter in Bali became significantly more expensive this week.
Indonesia’s state-owned energy company Pertamina raised the price of two popular gasoline grades on Wednesday, the first major adjustment in months. The increase took effect nationwide, including across Bali, where millions of residents and tourists depend on private vehicles and rental scooters for daily transportation.
Pertamax (RON 92) rose from Rp12,300 to Rp16,250 per liter – an increase of nearly 32 percent.
Pertamax Green 95 (RON 95) increased from Rp12,900 to Rp17,000 per liter.
Other fuel types, including subsidized Pertalite and Biosolar, remained unchanged.
Why It Happened
Pertamina cited global oil prices and market economics as the primary reasons for the adjustment.
“The selling price was determined while continuing to coordinate with the government as regulator,” said Roberth MV Dumatubun, corporate secretary of Pertamina Patra Niaga, in a statement.
“This is part of efforts to maintain energy supply sustainability and ensure the distribution of quality fuel continues optimally.”
The company assured that supply of both fuel grades remains stable across all Pertamina stations.
What This Means for Bali
For international visitors, the impact will be most visible at the pump.
Scooter rentals, the backbone of independent travel across Bali, typically operate on a “full to full” fuel policy. Riders return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as when they picked it up. A full tank now costs notably more.
Car rentals, ride-hailing services, and tour operators will also face higher operating costs. Some may absorb the difference. Others may pass it along to customers.
For expatriates living in Bali, the increase adds another layer to the rising cost of daily life. Fuel is not just for commuting. It affects the price of delivered goods, online grocery orders, and even the cost of maintaining villa generators during Bali’s frequent power fluctuations.
The Subsidized Alternative
Not all fuel is affected.
Pertalite, a lower-octane gasoline, remains at Rp10,000 per liter. But it is intended primarily for motorcycles and certain low-compression vehicles. Many modern cars and higher-end scooters are designed to run on Pertamax or higher grades.
Diesel prices also remained unchanged, with Biosolar at Rp6,800, Dexlite at Rp23,000, and Pertamina Dex at Rp24,800 per liter.
Pertamax Turbo, a premium grade, stayed at Rp20,750.
A Regional Context
Indonesia’s fuel prices remain relatively low compared to many other countries. A liter of gasoline in Europe, for example, can cost the equivalent of Rp25,000 to Rp35,000.
But for travelers accustomed to Bali’s historically cheap fuel, the new prices may come as a surprise.
A full tank on a typical rental scooter (about 5 liters) now costs approximately Rp81,250 for Pertamax – up from around Rp61,500. The difference is not ruinous. But it is noticeable.
What Travelers Should Know
Tourists renting scooters or cars should confirm fuel policies before booking. Some rental companies include fuel. Most do not.
Those planning longer trips across the island should budget for higher fuel costs, particularly if they intend to cover significant distances.
And for anyone who has ever casually remarked that “everything is cheap in Bali” – that statement is becoming slightly less true.
The price of getting from Canggu to Ubud just went up.
Not dramatically. But enough to feel.
