Prabowo Discusses Strategies to Boost Indonesia's National Electric Vehicle Investment

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto met with Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, to discuss strategies for boosting investment in Indonesia's burgeoning national electric vehicle (EV) industry. The meeting focused on how Indonesia can leverage its resources and existing ecosystem to play a more significant role in EV production.

In a press statement following the meeting, Rosan explained that Indonesia possesses significant potential to become a more active player in the EV sector. He highlighted the country's abundant nickel resources and its developing battery ecosystem. However, Rosan also noted that domestic production of electric vehicles remains limited.

"We have the potential from nickel, all kinds of things, batteries, even battery recycling is already there," Rosan said. "But we don't have the cars yet, the electric cars, whereas we have already committed to net zero emissions by 2060, and the President even wants it to be faster."

Rosan acknowledged that Indonesia currently relies on investments from foreign companies like Hyundai, BYD, and Wuling, which have already established manufacturing facilities in the country. However, he emphasized the need for Indonesia to take on a larger role in the industry.

"Our car production is around 1.2 million per year, and it's growing, and it is expected to reach 2.5 million by 2030," Rosan stated. "The point is, can't we play a bigger role than that?"

Responding to questions about existing brands in the Indonesian market, Rosan clarified that the government is not solely focused on foreign investment, but is also exploring the possibility of developing a national electric vehicle. "We already have the Maung [an existing Indonesian-made military vehicle], this might be a further development, we will talk about it, we will work on it further," Rosan said.

Through these initiatives, the government hopes to accelerate the development of the national electric vehicle industry and position Indonesia as a major player in the global supply chain.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, President Director of PT Pindad (Persero) Prof Sigit Puji Santoso, Bandung Institute of Technology professor Brian Yuliarto, and Vice President Director of PT TBS Energi Tbk Pandu Patria Sjahrir.

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