PT HLI Green Power Opens Southeast Asia's First and Largest EV Battery Cell Factory in Karawang, West Java

On July 3, 2024, PT HLI Green Power — the Indonesian battery joint venture led by South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution — inaugurated its electric vehicle (EV) battery cell factory in Karawang, West Java, a facility described at the ceremony as the first and largest EV battery cell factory in Southeast Asia. The opening, attended by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), marks Indonesia's stated transition from a raw-material exporter to a producer inside the global electric vehicle supply chain.

Unbranded electric vehicle battery cells neatly arranged on an industrial testing bench with insulated probes

A new chapter for Indonesia's EV ecosystem

"Today, we have started a new chapter in our milestone to become a global player in the EV and battery cell ecosystem," Jokowi said at the inauguration of the South Korean battery and electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia at the PT HLI Green Power site in Karawang. He emphasized that the Karawang plant is "the first and largest EV battery cell factory in Southeast Asia," and framed the project as the practical start of Indonesia's ambition to become a global player in the electric vehicle supply chain.

The ceremony also marked a production milestone for the consortium: President Jokowi signed the first Hyundai Kona Electric fully manufactured in Indonesia, a vehicle that uses locally produced batteries from the new Karawang line.

The consortium and the investment behind the plant

PT HLI Green Power was built by a consortium led by the two South Korean companies Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. According to the figures cited at the inauguration, the overall project carries a total investment of Rp160 trillion (around US$9.77 billion), and Jokowi expressed the hope that it would further strengthen relations between Indonesia and South Korea.

Inauguration: Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Karawang, West Java.
Facility: the first and largest EV battery cell factory in Southeast Asia.
Consortium: led by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.
Total project investment: Rp160 trillion (around US$9.77 billion).
First locally built vehicle: a Hyundai Kona Electric signed by President Jokowi, using locally produced batteries.
Kona Electric range: over 600 kilometers on a single charge; price around Rp500 million (around US$30,542).

From raw materials to supply-chain player

Jokowi recalled that Indonesia's abundant natural resources had long been exported as raw materials with no added value. With the construction of smelters and an electric vehicle battery cell factory, he argued, Indonesia will become an important international player in the global supply chain for electric vehicles.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan described the inauguration as an important milestone in Indonesia's progress: "Indonesia is ready to become a key player in the global supply chain from upstream to downstream."

A widening Indonesian–South Korean industrial partnership

South Korean Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo, speaking at the same ceremony, expressed hope that the two countries would continue expanding their cooperation. He noted that more than two thousand South Korean companies have entered Indonesia and thanked the Indonesian government for offering tax incentives and simplifying customs procedures.

Officials present at the inauguration

Moeldoko, Presidential Chief of Staff.
Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment.
Bahlil Lahadalia, Investment Minister.
Erick Thohir, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises.
Agus Gumiwang, Minister of Industry.
Bey Machmudin, Acting Governor of West Java.

Company and contacts

PT HLI Green Power — electric vehicle battery cell manufacturer, Karawang, West Java, Indonesia; joint-venture consortium led by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.

Contacts: the source attributes the ceremony statements to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan and South Korean Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo; the article carries no direct company phone or e-mail contacts.

Website: https://www.hligreenpower.com/