Why EV Battery Circular Economy is the Key to Indonesia's Energy Transition
Indonesia needs a comprehensive solution for millions of EV batteries reaching end-of-life by 2030. Renewa's recycling facility answers this — transforming waste into solar energy storage.
The transition towards electric vehicles in Indonesia is accelerating. But behind the enthusiasm for EV motorcycles lies a crucial question that has not been widely discussed: what will happen to the millions of lithium-ion batteries when their service life ends? Indonesia is projected to face its first wave of EV battery waste in 2028–2030, coinciding with the period when EV units that began circulating in 2023–2024 reach the end of their battery cycle.
A Real Challenge Often Overlooked
Lithium-ion batteries used in two-wheel EV motorcycles typically have a lifespan of 3–5 years or 40,000–60,000 kilometres. After that, their capacity drops below 80% of the original and they are no longer efficient for mobility. However, these batteries still retain around 70–75% of their capacity — sufficient for use in stationary energy storage applications such as household solar panels or off-grid systems.
“When we designed the Renewa ecosystem, we were aware that the EV motorcycle is only an entry point. The real question is: how do we ensure that every atom of battery we distribute today has a long and dignified lifecycle? The recycling facility is not a cost — it is a value generator that transforms waste into an energy asset.”
— Hendry Donald, Chief Executive Officer, PT Renewa Green Energy
Renewa's Model: Three-Stage Battery Lifecycle
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Stage 1 — Mobility (0–5 years): Battery used at full capacity to power EV motorcycles within the Credit Connect network.
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Stage 2 — Second Life Energy Storage (5–8 years): Batteries with capacity below 80% are collected, reconditioned, and used as energy storage for household solar panels and SMEs.
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Stage 3 — Material Recovery (8+ years): Batteries no longer fit for use are recycled to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese — raw materials for the next generation of batteries.
Renewa's first battery processing facility is scheduled to become operational in the Karawang industrial zone in Q4 2027, with an initial processing capacity of 5,000 battery units per year. The initial investment for this facility reaches Rp 45 billion, with a target to reach breakeven in the third year of operations.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Hendry Donald
Chief Executive Officer
Hendry Donald is the founder and CEO of PT Renewa Green Energy. He leads the company's strategic vision in building Indonesia's first integrated green energy ecosystem — from EV credit to renewable energy.
Zaki Umaro
Chief Commercial Officer
Zaki Umaro serves as Chief Commercial Officer of PT Renewa Green Energy, responsible for commercial growth strategy, partnership development, and market expansion of the Renewa ecosystem.