New Phase in National Electric Car Industry
An integrated industrial operation from the upstream to the downstream is vital to promoting the domestic use of electric cars. Supporting infrastructure and incentives are also needed.
President Joko Widodo visits the ground breaking of the electric vehicle industry in Karawang, West Java, Wednesday (15/9/2021).
JAKARTA, KOMPAS—Indonesia is starting a new phase in the transportation industry by building a factory to produce electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) in Karawang, West Java. The project, worth US$1.1 billion (Rp 15.6 trillion), is expected to generate growth momentum for Indonesia’s downstream industries. One of the challenges this project faces is how to create domestic demand for electric vehicles (EVs).
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officiated the pile driving ceremony for the Karawang factory on Wednesday (15/9/2021). Accompanying the President were Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board Bahlil Lahadalia, while LG Energy Solution CEO Jonghyun Kim and Hyundai Motor Group chairman Euisun Chung joined the event by video link from South Korea. LG and Hyundai are principal investors of this project.