House of Representatives Commission XII Supports Electric Vehicle Battery Industry
Commission XII of the House of Representatives fully supports the development of the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry in Indonesia, particularly the strategic national project currently being built in Karawang, West Java. This multi-billion-dollar investment is considered a crucial milestone in promoting clean energy transition as well as national economic growth.
“We from Commission XII strongly support this extraordinary industry with an investment of approximately US$6 billion,” said Member of Commission XII of the House of Representatives, Irsan Sosiawan Gading, during the Commission’s working visit to Karawang, West Java, on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
The EV battery industry plays a strategic role in reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles in the country. “This can serve as a model for the EV and battery industry in Indonesia, with a significant impact on emission reduction,” said Irsan.
He stated that the presence of the battery industry not only impacts the energy sector but also provides a concrete solution to address air emission issues, which have long been a serious concern. However, the industry’s development must still comprehensively consider environmental aspects. “Emission reduction is indeed important, but the environmental impact of this industry must also be a primary concern. All aspects must be carefully considered,” he said.
Commission XII also highlighted the importance of local community involvement in the industrial ecosystem. Irsan encouraged that the majority of the workforce should come from residents around the industrial area. “We hope that at least 70 percent of the workforce comes from the local community. This is important so that economic benefits are truly felt directly by the surrounding residents,” said the politician from the NasDem Party Faction.
Irsan also mentioned the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and knowledge transfer for Indonesian workers. Currently, some workers are still undergoing training abroad, including in China, to enhance technical capabilities in the battery industry.
“Indeed, this is a new industry, only about one year in operation. There is a learning process, including overseas training. But going forward, this capability must be developed independently through continuous improvement of product knowledge,” he said.
The project visited by Commission XII is the battery production facility of PT Contemporary Amperex Technology Indonesia Battery (CATIB). This factory has a production capacity of 6.9 GWh and is targeted to be completed in the third quarter of 2026.
Located in Karawang, this project is the result of cooperation between MIND ID through PT Industri Baterai Indonesia (IBI) with the CBL consortium. The investment value reaches approximately Rp 7 trillion and is projected to absorb up to 3,000 workers.
As of January 2026, the basic factory infrastructure construction has been completed. Currently, the installation of equipment and supporting facilities is underway, with a target to start operations in the third quarter of 2026.
This factory will later produce batteries for various vehicle brands, including major manufacturers like Toyota and Honda, and has the potential to supply energy storage system needs.
Irsan is optimistic that if battery production expands and is used by various popular vehicle brands, the public will become more interested in switching to electric vehicles. “If major brands are already using these batteries, the public will certainly see and start switching to more efficient and environmentally friendly electric vehicles,” he said.
The presence of this industry is expected to stimulate the local economy, create jobs, and establish a sustainable industrial ecosystem. “As the industry grows, the community must also feel the benefits. The surrounding economy thrives, that is what we hope for in the future,” he said.