Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands
Summary
Volkswagen, Ford, and Tesla use batteries that may contain nickel mined from forests in Indonesia where indigenous land is being cut down. This nickel comes from mines linked to deforestation and is processed through companies in China before being made into car batteries.Key Facts
- The nickel comes from mines in Sulawesi, Indonesia, which is home to important wildlife and the Tolaki indigenous people.
- Batteries need nickel because it helps store more energy and increases driving range.
- The nickel is processed by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, which supplies the world’s biggest battery maker, CATL.
- Processed nickel is sent to China before being used in batteries for American and European car companies.
- Satellite images show large areas of forest have been cut down because of the mining activities.
- Mining threatens both the environment and the traditional way of life of the Tolaki people.
- In 2024, about $606 million worth of processed nickel was shipped from Indonesia to China.
- Volkswagen received battery parts in 2024 made with this nickel, showing how it enters global supply chains.
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