Hyundai Welcomes Incentives for Nickel Battery Electric Vehicles

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government’s plan to provide larger incentives for electric vehicles based on nickel batteries has received a positive response from Hyundai Motor Indonesia. This policy is seen as aligning with efforts to maximise the utilisation of Indonesia’s natural resources while strengthening the national electric vehicle industry. Previously, the government has been refining a new incentive scheme for the purchase of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the second half of 2026. One option under consideration is providing larger subsidies for electric vehicles using nickel-based batteries compared to non-nickel ones. The Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, stated that the policy aims to optimise the utilisation of domestic nickel. Chief Operating Officer of HMID, Fransiscus Soerjopranoto, said that many parties associate nickel-based batteries with Hyundai, especially after the company built a battery factory in Karawang. “Because many people associate nickel batteries with Hyundai. Indeed, when we built the battery factory in Karawang, we wanted to maximise the use of nickel,” said Frans, when met in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (13/5/2026). According to him, Indonesia has the world’s largest nickel reserves, so its utilisation is seen as able to make a significant contribution to the national economy. “Nickel is one of our natural resources, number one in the world. So if we can utilise it, it will certainly contribute to Indonesia,” he said. “Hyundai always welcomes government policies. But we also have to look at customer demand. What the Indonesian people want, if they want EVs, then EVs; if they want hybrids, then hybrids,” said Frans. In addition to following consumer needs, Hyundai also considers it important to remain adaptive to the regulations implemented by the government. “So we must adapt to the rules and customer needs,” he said.