Quick Takeaways
- Indonesia is now producing EV-grade batteries at scale, turning raw nickel into high-value clean-mobility products.
- Two mega battery plants coming online in 2026 will anchor the country’s role in the global EV supply chain.
On January 8, 2026, Indonesia’s nickel-based EV battery industry officially moved into the operational phase after the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources confirmed that two major battery plants are scheduled to begin operations by 2026, strengthening the country’s electric vehicle supply chain.
This milestone positions the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry as a core pillar of the country’s clean-mobility ambitions, turning its vast nickel reserves into high-value battery products while supporting the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.
Indonesia Nickel-Based EV Battery Industry Gains Industrial Scale
The projects are part of Indonesia’s mineral downstreaming strategy led by President Prabowo Subianto. A flagship integrated battery complex is being developed in Karawang, West Java, bringing together every step from nickel processing to finished EV battery manufacturing under one industrial ecosystem.
Global technology partners, including CATL, are involved in this facility, which is planned to be inaugurated in the first half of 2026. The Karawang plant is designed to connect mining, refining, and battery cell production in a single, highly efficient value chain.
Strengthening the EV Supply Chain and National Competitiveness
With commercial-scale battery plants now underway, the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry is expected to significantly enhance the country’s position in the global electric vehicle supply network. By processing nickel domestically, Indonesia can capture more value from its resources rather than exporting raw materials.
Key outcomes of this development include:
Government Policies Securing Sustainable Nickel Supply
To ensure long-term stability, the government is regulating nickel production through controlled output policies and adjustments to the RKAB framework. These measures aim to balance supply and demand, stabilize prices, and promote sustainable mining and processing practices that support the growing battery sector.
The battery plants are also part of Indonesia’s national strategic projects, which include mineral smelters and other downstream processing facilities designed to transform the country into a global hub for advanced battery materials and electric mobility technologies.
As these initiatives come online, the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry is moving from planning to execution, creating a fully integrated pathway from mineral extraction to electric vehicle batteries that supports both economic growth and the transition to cleaner transportation.
This milestone positions the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry as a core pillar of the country’s clean-mobility ambitions, turning its vast nickel reserves into high-value battery products while supporting the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.
Indonesia Nickel-Based EV Battery Industry Gains Industrial Scale
The projects are part of Indonesia’s mineral downstreaming strategy led by President Prabowo Subianto. A flagship integrated battery complex is being developed in Karawang, West Java, bringing together every step from nickel processing to finished EV battery manufacturing under one industrial ecosystem.
Global technology partners, including CATL, are involved in this facility, which is planned to be inaugurated in the first half of 2026. The Karawang plant is designed to connect mining, refining, and battery cell production in a single, highly efficient value chain.
Strengthening the EV Supply Chain and National Competitiveness
With commercial-scale battery plants now underway, the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry is expected to significantly enhance the country’s position in the global electric vehicle supply network. By processing nickel domestically, Indonesia can capture more value from its resources rather than exporting raw materials.
Key outcomes of this development include:
- Higher economic value from Indonesia’s nickel resources
- Faster adoption of electric vehicles in domestic and export markets
- Creation of skilled manufacturing and technology jobs
- Stronger global competitiveness in battery and EV supply chains
Government Policies Securing Sustainable Nickel Supply
To ensure long-term stability, the government is regulating nickel production through controlled output policies and adjustments to the RKAB framework. These measures aim to balance supply and demand, stabilize prices, and promote sustainable mining and processing practices that support the growing battery sector.
The battery plants are also part of Indonesia’s national strategic projects, which include mineral smelters and other downstream processing facilities designed to transform the country into a global hub for advanced battery materials and electric mobility technologies.
As these initiatives come online, the Indonesia nickel-based EV battery industry is moving from planning to execution, creating a fully integrated pathway from mineral extraction to electric vehicle batteries that supports both economic growth and the transition to cleaner transportation.
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