Video: Success in Using EVs in Mines, Borneo Indobara Reveals the Challenges

CNBC Indonesia is hosting the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 with the theme “The Future of EVs in the Mining Industry: Between Efficiency and High Investment”, which will discuss opportunities, challenges, and the industry’s readiness in adopting electric vehicle (EV) technology.

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

Currently, several mines have begun trialling the use of trucks, mining buses, and mineral transport lorries. These EVs provide benefits in saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions, but there are still several challenges related to high EV import taxes and regulatory improvements.

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

From the nickel side, the use of EVs 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 stated that challenges regarding the capacity and capability of mining human resources in utilising EVs must be a concern.

Meanwhile, the use of EVs in mining services businesses is closely linked to mining contractor investments, according to the Deputy General 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 (KLHK), Widhi Handoyo, stated that KLHK, in the energy transition for the sector, ensures that environmental functions and ecosystems remain protected.

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

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

In supporting the acceleration of the mining energy transition through EVs, the Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, mentioned the commitment of the Gaya Makmur Group in providing mining vehicles such as EV-based trucks, one of which is a 110-tonne class truck with a 1.7 Megawatt-hour (MWh) battery capacity, as well as mining equipment.

Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, revealed the development of EV adoption in Borneo Indobara mines that has already begun with several challenges related to regulations and infrastructure, although the impact on mining efficiency is quite 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 the Deputy General Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis, together with the Director of Machinery and Agricultural Equipment Industry at Kemenperin, Solehan, and the Director of Environmental Impact Prevention for Regional and Sectoral Policies at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Widhi Handoyo, as well as the Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, with the Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026, CNBC Indonesia (Wednesday, 29/04/2026).