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With LFP batteries all the rage, experts differ on future of nickel in EV industry
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Flames emerge from a 13-tonne lithium battery unit at a Tesla battery site near Geelong, Australia, on July 30, 2021. (AFP/Handout)
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comment from vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Sunday’s election debate has sparked questions about Indonesia’s strategy as it vies for a central role in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, with some experts saying the government’s nickel policy jeopardizes the material’s future in battery production.
“Is Gus [brother] Muhaimin anti-nickel?” Gibran asked fellow candidate Muhaimin Iskandar after criticizing public comments raised by Thomas Lembong, Muhaimin’s spokesperson, on EV batteries.
The comments in question were about the growing popularity of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries among EVs manufacturers around the world. Such batteries do not contain nickel.
Gibran accused Thomas of spreading “public lies” in saying that Tesla no longer used any nickel-based batteries. Tesla does use nickel in some batteries but popular cars like its Model 3 and Model Y use LFP batteries exclusively.
“Indonesia has the largest nickel reserves; this is our leverage. We’re not supposed to discuss LFP, because that’s the same thing as promoting Chinese products,” said Gibran.
Thomas has said on multiple occasions that Tesla uses 100 percent LFP, but he said that in the context of Tesla’s products made in China, for which the claim is true.
Thomas criticized the government’s nickel export ban, suggesting the policy, by constricting supply of nickel ore, had pushed companies to develop alternative battery technologies that require less or no nickel, such as LFP.
