Aspindo: Mining Contractors Willing to Use EVs If Profitable
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - CNBC Indonesia hosted the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 with the theme “The Future of EVs in the Mining Industry: Between Efficiency and High Investment”, which will discuss opportunities, challenges, and the industry’s readiness in adopting electric vehicle (EV) technology.
The Supervisory Board of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), Raden Sukhyar, at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026, assured the mining sector’s commitment to utilising electric vehicles or EVs.
Currently, several mines have begun trials of using trucks to mining buses and mineral transport lorries. These EVs provide benefits in saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions, but there are still several challenges related to high EV import taxes and regulatory improvements.
Amid global geopolitical turmoil and rising oil prices, electrification is described by the Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), Gita Mahyarani, as a relevant policy for the industry, including the mining sector. However, production pressures on coal with the slashing of the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) will make investments in EVs for coal mines a challenge.
From the nickel side, the use of EVs in nickel mines still faces challenges related to limited energy infrastructure and adequate road access. The Supervisory Board of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI), Djoko Widajatno, also stated that challenges regarding the capacity and capabilities of mining human resources in utilising EVs must be a concern.
Meanwhile, the use of EVs in mining services businesses is said by the Deputy General Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis, to be closely related to mining contractors’ investments. Therefore, it is important to ensure government support regarding high EV import taxes and certainty of mining concessions.
Meanwhile, the Director of Prevention of Environmental Impacts of Regional and Sectoral Policies at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH), Widhi Handoyo, stated that KLH in the energy transition sector ensures that environmental functions and ecosystems remain protected.
From the government, the Director of the Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Industry at the Ministry of Industry (IPMP Kemenperin), Solehan, mentioned mining as a strategic sector in driving the economy as well as EV development, although mining transportation faces challenges with heavy terrain, high activity intensity, and remote areas, thus requiring high unit reliability.
The Ministry of Industry, in supporting the EV transition in mining, acts as a regulator as well as a facilitator in converting Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EV) while strengthening the EV ecosystem to be competitive.
In supporting the acceleration of the mining energy transition through EVs, the Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, mentioned the commitment of the Gaya Makmur Group in providing mining vehicles such as EV-based trucks, one of which is a 110-tonne class truck with a 1.7 Megawatt-hour (MWh) battery capacity to mining equipment.
Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, revealed the development of EV adoption in Borneo Indobara mines that has already begun with several challenges related to regulations to infrastructure, although the impact on mining efficiency is quite significant.