“VW, Ford, Tesla Batteries Linked to Deforestation of Indigenous Lands in Indonesia” — what this page in the network covers. Batteries used by Volkswagen, Ford, and Tesla may contain nickel from mines in Indonesia that have caused widespread deforestation of primary rainforests on indigenous Tolaki lands, according to an analysis of corporate disclosures and trade flows. The mining operations are located in Sulawesi, a biodiversity hotspot and home to the world's largest nickel deposits, where nickel is extracted for use in electric vehicle battery cathodes to boost energy density and range.
The findings highlight the challenge for the auto industry to produce vehicles free from environmental destruction, as the shift to electric mobility drives demand for nickel. The deforestation threatens both wildlife and the livelihoods of the Tolaki people, raising concerns about the sustainability of supply chains. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.