BRIN researches batteries from coal waste to support electric vehicles

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing artificial graphite from coal waste for battery raw materials in an effort to support the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the country.

“In the upstream sector of future materials, BRIN is developing 5V Li-ion batteries and producing artificial graphite from coal waste,” said BRIN Head Arif Satria to ANTARA in Jakarta on Sunday.

Arif noted that the artificial graphite under development has a structural conformity level of 96.8 percent.

“BRIN is also refining a hybrid conversion system (combining petrol engines, electric motors and controllers) that has the potential to save 20-40 percent of fuel oil, as well as electric motorcycle conversions that utilise existing motorcycle frames at a far more affordable cost,” said Arif Satria.

President Prabowo Subianto previously announced that the government will provide incentives for one million electric motorcycles produced domestically by Indonesian companies, as part of accelerating the electrification of public mobility.

He said the electric motorcycle production incentive has three objectives: lowering vehicle costs for the public, reducing imported fuel consumption, and expanding the national electric motorcycle industry along with its supply chain of batteries, components, software and after-sales services.

President Prabowo also noted that Indonesia already possesses nearly all the elements required in the electric vehicle battery supply chain.

“We will provide substantial incentives for those who can build one million electric motorcycles produced domestically by Indonesian companies,” said Prabowo during the Government’s Introductory Statement on the Draft Law on the 2027 State Budget and Financial Note on Friday (14/8).