Video: Adopting EVs in Mining Faces Challenges with Electricity Access and Nickel Mine Roads

CNBC Indonesia hosted the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 event under the theme “The Future of EVs in the Mining Industry: Between Efficiency and High Investment,” which discussed opportunities, challenges, and readiness in adopting electric vehicle (EV) technology within the industry.

The Supervisory Board of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), Raden Sukhyar, affirmed the mining sector’s commitment to utilising electric vehicles or EVs during the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026.

Currently, several mines have begun trials of using trucks, mining buses, and mineral transport lorries as EVs. These EVs offer benefits such as fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions, but challenges remain regarding high EV import taxes and regulatory improvements.

Amid global geopolitical turmoil and rising oil prices, electrification is considered relevant policy for the industry, including mining, by the Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), Gita Mahyarani. However, production pressures on coal with the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) cuts will make EV investments in coal mines challenging.

From the nickel perspective, EV utilisation in nickel mines still faces challenges related to limited energy infrastructure and adequate road access. The Supervisory Board of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI), Djoko Widajatno, also noted that challenges concerning the capacity and capability of mining human resources in utilising EVs must be addressed.

Meanwhile, EV use in mining services businesses is closely tied to mining contractor investments, according to Vice Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis. Therefore, it is important to ensure government support regarding high EV import taxes and certainty of mining concessions.

The Director of Environmental Impact Prevention for Regional and Sectoral Policies at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLH/BPLH), Widhi Handoyo, stated that KLH ensures environmental functions and ecosystems remain protected during the energy transition in the sector.

From the government side, the Director of Machinery and Agricultural Equipment Industry/IPMP at the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), Solehan, described mining as a strategic sector in driving the economy and EV development, although mining transportation faces challenges from harsh terrain, high activity intensity, and remote areas, requiring high unit reliability.

Kemenperin supports the EV transition in mining by acting as a regulator and facilitator in converting Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EV), while strengthening the competitive EV ecosystem.

To support the acceleration of mining energy transition through EVs, Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, highlighted the Gaya Makmur Group’s commitment to providing mining vehicles such as EV-based trucks, including a 110-tonne class truck with a 1.7 Megawatt-hour (MWh) battery capacity, up to mining equipment.

Meanwhile, Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, revealed the progress of EV adoption in Borneo Indobara mines, which has begun with several challenges related to regulations and infrastructure, although the impact on mining efficiency is significant.

For more details, watch the dialogue with Shafinaz Nachiar and the Supervisory Board of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), Raden Sukhyar, as well as the Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI), Gita Mahyarani, with the Supervisory Board of the Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI), Djoko Widajatno, and Vice Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis, together with the Director of Machinery and Agricultural Equipment Industry/IPMP at Kemenperin, Solehan, and the Director of Environmental Impact Prevention for Regional and Sectoral Policies at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry/BPLH, Widhi Handoyo, as well as Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, with Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026, CNBC Indonesia (Wednesday, 29/04/2026).