Industry Ready to Supply EVs, Mining Electrification Can Accelerate Rapidly

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, revealed that electric vehicles designed for mining operations are ready for use by the industry and support the energy transition. The use of EVs in mining areas is expected to save on fuel costs and anticipate price surges amid uncertainties.

“Some of our equipment has already met mining needs through trials, including excavators, particularly for dump trucks. So these EVs are ready to assist everyone and can be used as much as possible,” Surateman stated at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 event on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

According to him, amid this situation, demand for EVs in mining is inevitable. This is because, without using EVs, capital expenditure for mining operations could be more expensive, and maintenance costs would also be very high.

“Some large companies spend hundreds of millions on fuel; if we can achieve 85% efficiency, you can imagine,” he said.

Surateman explained that electric technology in heavy equipment for mining has been implemented in several countries in recent years, particularly in China. In Indonesia, trials have also been conducted by the GM Group over the past year.

“We at GM Group, together with one of the largest mining concessions in Kalimantan, have been trialling EVs (in mining) for a year now. Hopefully, we won’t be long in launching 110-ton equipment,” he said.

For durability, there is a 5-year battery warranty with an average mining operation of 30,000 hours. For spare parts, GM Group guarantees that every item delivered meets 10 aspects, so there is no need to worry about replacements.

“We have prepared it so there is no need to worry, and for charging, if there is other equipment, it can use the same charging, so standardisation proven from us,” Surateman revealed.