Video: Using EVs in Mining Operations, Miners Request Import Tax Exemption

CNBC Indonesia hosted 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 to adopt electric vehicle (EV) technology.

The Supervisory Board of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA), Raden Sukhyar, at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026, confirmed 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 fuel savings and reducing carbon emissions, but there are still several challenges related to high EV import taxes and regulatory improvements.

Amid global geopolitical turbulence 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 addressed.

Meanwhile, the use of EVs in mining services business is said by the Deputy General Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis, to be closely linked to mining contractor investments. Therefore, it is important to ensure government support regarding high EV import taxes and certainty of mining concessions.

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

From the government side, the Director of the Machinery and Agricultural Equipment Industry/IPMP at the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), Solehan, mentioned mining as a strategic sector in driving the economy as well as EV development, although mining transport faces challenges from harsh 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 Gaya Makmur Group’s commitment 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, to mining equipment.

Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of PT Borneo Indobara, Raden Utoro, revealed the development of EV adoption at 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, as well as the Deputy General Chairman I of the Indonesian Mining Services Association (ASPINDO), Ahmad Kharis, together with the Director of the 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 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).