Indonesian Embassy purchases Hyundai's IONIQ 5
Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Umar Hadi, second from right, poses with Kim Chang-beom, second from left, former Korean Ambassador to Indonesia and Hyundai Motor's advisor; Hyundai Motor Vice President Kim Kyoung-soo, left, and Vice Ambassador Zelda Wulan Kartika during Hyundai's electric car delivery ceremony at the embassy's headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
By Baek Byung-yeul
The Embassy of Indonesia in Korea purchased Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle (EV), the IONIQ 5, as part of the Southeast Asian nation's effort to boost EV-related businesses as its next economic growth engine, Hyundai Motor said Thursday.
The Korean automotive giant said that it held a ceremony at the Indonesian embassy in Seoul, Wednesday, to deliver the EV to Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Umar Hadi.
Indonesia has recently been pushing forward with the development of EV-related industries, as well as expanding the availability of EVs there. In line with these initiatives, the Embassy of Indonesia in Korea has decided to replace its official vehicles with Hyundai's EV.
The purchase is also part of the embassy's “Green Transformation” goal, which it set earlier this year to help make a more sustainable society. Among Indonesian embassies across the world, the Korean office is the first one to use an EV as its official car.
Hyundai's IONIQ 5 is based on the carmaker's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) developed for EVs. With a distinctive exterior design and spacious interior, the IONIQ 5 has improved the utilization of space for driver and passengers and can travel up to 429 kilometers on a single charge.
Kim Chang-beom, the former Korean Ambassador to Indonesia and Hyundai Motor's advisor, said, “I am happy that the IONIQ 5 will be able to contribute to the Indonesian Embassy's goal of building a sustainable society.”
“We hope that the IONIQ 5 and other EVs will be used in more places, including foreign embassies,” he added.
“The green transition is an important goal of the Indonesian Embassy in Korea,” Ambassador Hadi said. “I am happy to be with Hyundai Motor in making new changes for climate change issues.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, gives a congratulatory speech at the joint Hyundai Motor Group―LG Energy Solution battery plant groundbreaking ceremony held in Karawang New Industry City, Wednesday. Upper right, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, bottom right LGES CEO Kim Jong-hyun. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group
The delivery ceremony came after Indonesian President Joko Widodo gave a congratulatory speech at the groundbreaking ceremony to construct a joint EV battery plant between Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution in Karawang New Industry City, Wednesday.
Hyundai and LG are set to complete construction of the battery-manufacturing plant in the first half of 2023 and begin mass production of the vehicles in the first half of 2024, with an annual capacity of 10 gigawatts, enough to power approximately 150,000 EVs.
Indonesia has emerged as strong candidate to become one of the leading players in the EV-related business, as the country is the largest nickel producer. Nickel is one of the core raw materials being used for EV batteries. With its raw material resources, the country aims to support both the EV and EV battery manufacturing businesses.
“Indonesia has the world's biggest nickel reserves, and with this potential, I believe that in the next three to four years, with good management, Indonesia will be the main producer of nickel-based products, such as batteries,” the Indonesian president said during the ceremony.
The joint plant is aimed at securing a stable supply of EV batteries for Hyundai Motor and its sister carmaker Kia, Hyundai said. LG said that the batteries produced at the plant are based on its latest battery technologies, which maximize the properties of nickel, cobalt and manganese, as well as reduce chemical uncertainties by adding in high-performance aluminum.