Ombudsman Warns Govt on Electric Vehicle Battery Waste Management

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ombudsman on Tuesday highlighted the finding of problematic electric vehicle battery waste management after it discovered that a number of battery wastes used to convert conventional vehicles to EVs are stored without being recycled.

“The government needs to create a detailed and comprehensive regulation,” said Ombudsman member Hery Susanto in a written statement on February 14. 

Hery asked that this regulation be implemented as a standard guideline regarding the management or recycling of electric battery waste from the use of electric vehicles. 

"Including assigning duties and responsibilities to related agencies, especially from the supervisory side, both at the central and regional levels," he said.

The Ombudsman also asked the government to provide incentives to investors in the electric vehicle and charging station sectors. This includes investors engaged in the management and recycling of battery waste.

This report was presented amid President Joko Widodo’s attempt to boost the country’s electric vehicle battery industry to reach the goal of producing 60 percent of EV batteries. 

Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) observer Agus Purwadi reminded automotive manufacturers in Indonesia not only to sell electric cars, but also to think about processing battery waste.

"Batteries must be recycled, they are toxic materials, B3 (Hazardous and Toxic Materials) waste, they cannot be disposed of openly, there must be a shelter. That's why international standards state, if you sell electric cars, you must be responsible for accommodating the batteries, so the batteries must be recalled. again by manufacturing," said Agus, on January 25, 2023.

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