EV battery nickel traced to deforestation of indigenous lands in Sulawesi

An analysis links nickel mines in the supply chains of VW, Ford, and Tesla to deforestation of primary rainforest on indigenous Tolaki lands in Sulawesi, Indonesia. The finding underscores the environmental cost embedded in EV battery supply chains and raises reputational and regulatory risks for Western automakers. The extent of direct responsibility and the scale of deforestation remain uncertain, as the analysis relies on corporate disclosures and trade flows.