Hyundai Welcomes Positively the Plan for Nickel Battery EV Incentives
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Indonesia, Fransiscus Soerjopranoto, has welcomed the government’s plan to provide larger incentives for electric vehicles based on nickel batteries, as it is seen to support the growth of the national automotive market while maximising the utilisation of domestic natural resources.
Fransiscus stated that the electric vehicle (EV) incentive policy is driven by the significant rise in fuel oil (BBM) prices, both for petrol and diesel vehicles, which has occurred recently.
“So first, we see that petrol prices for both petrol cars and diesel cars have risen quite significantly. So a replacement for fuel prices is needed. That’s why the government is providing those incentives,” said Fransiscus in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Frans assessed that this policy presents an opportunity to increase electric vehicle sales in Indonesia, not only for Hyundai but also for all automotive manufacturers operating in the EV segment.
Regarding the proposal to prioritise incentives for nickel battery electric cars, Fransiscus said that many parties associate nickel battery use with Hyundai, particularly because the company has built a factory in Karawang.
According to him, Hyundai has intended from the start to maximise the use of local nickel as part of developing the national electric vehicle ecosystem.
“Because many people associate nickel batteries with Hyundai. Yes, indeed, when we built the battery factory in Karawang, we wanted to maximise the use of nickel,” he said.
He added that Indonesia is a country with the world’s largest nickel reserves, so its utilisation is seen to contribute to the national economy.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that nickel battery electric vehicles are not produced only by Hyundai.
He revealed that several other brands also use nickel batteries and have carried out local production in Indonesia.
He also mentioned that electric vehicles based on non-nickel batteries still have the opportunity to receive government incentives.
Fransiscus added that Hyundai in principle always supports government policies and will continue to adapt to consumer needs as well as applicable regulations in Indonesia.
“Hyundai always welcomes government policies. So we must align with customer demands. If Indonesian people want EVs, then EVs; if they want hybrids, then hybrids,” he said.