Jakarta, 7 July 2025: ERIA, in collaboration with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), co-hosted the second workshop for the regional study Preparing an Initial Framework for the Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Passport in ASEAN. The workshop aimed to present interim findings, review the progress of ASEAN Member States (AMS) in drafting national reports, assess the status of key policy components for implementation, and exchange good practices, including lessons from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI).

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr Tamat Sarmidi (IKMAS) outlined the study’s objectives and key milestones. Dr Alloysius Joko Purwanto, Energy Economist at ERIA, underscored the strategic importance of the EV Battery Passport in driving industrial decarbonisation and improving ASEAN’s long-term competitiveness in the global EV market.

The first session focused on sharing international best practices. Mr Teruyoshi Fujiwara and Mr Motonobu Saito of the Japan Digital Architecture Design Center (IPA DADC), alongside Mr Abe Asuka of METI, introduced the Ouranos Ecosystem, a framework supporting interoperable data infrastructure to promote data sovereignty, sharing, and cross-border governance in battery and chemical supply chains. Mr Jai-Un Chun, General Manager of Hyundai Kefico ASEAN, followed with a presentation on performance optimisation using high-nickel, high-density batteries, highlighting their benefits for lifecycle efficiency and management.

The second session featured national updates from AMS representatives on their readiness for EV Battery Passport implementation. Presentations covered:

1. Existing policies and strategies on EV battery development
2. Industry statistics and supply chain mapping
3. Data availability, standardisation, and traceability systems
4. Key challenges, opportunities, and policy recommendations

Contributors included Dr Sri Rahayu (Indonesia), Ms Joyce Rovera (The Philippines), Assoc. Prof. Chang You Ho (Singapore), Dr Nuwong Chollacoop and Dr Nattanai (Thailand), Dr Muhammad Rias K. V. Zainuddin (Malaysia), Prof. Phouphet Kyophilavong (representing Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar), and Dr Thai-Ha Le (Viet Nam).

The final session, led by Prof. Dr Norasikin Ahmad Ludin from UKM’s Solar Energy Research Institute, explored regional readiness across six components: economic diversification, policy task forces, technical and data infrastructure, transparent governance, workforce transition, and circular economy integration. Based on a multidimensional gap analysis, ASEAN is currently at the ’emerging readiness’ stage for EV Battery Passport implementation.

In closing, Mr Salvador Buban, Senior Policy Fellow at ERIA, acknowledged the region’s growing momentum toward EV adoption. He emphasised that while battery passport implementation remains a work in progress, pilot efforts in several countries point to tangible progress and opportunities for regional convergence. He called for converting policy recommendations into actionable strategies and underscored the need for coordinated efforts across all levels of governance to support a smooth transition.