VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to deforestation in Indonesian indigenous lands

An analysis of corporate disclosures and trade flows reveals nickel mines supplying major automakers' batteries are connected to widespread primary rainforest loss in Indonesia's Sulawesi region, home to the Tolaki people.

First covered Oct 16, 2026 · 12:00 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to deforestation in Indonesian indigenous lands — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

26d Guardian Environment Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands — Mines in supply chains of western carmakers linked to widespread deforestation of primary rainforest in nickel-rich lands inhabited by Tolaki people in…

Primary sources

climateandcommunity.org 23 03 08 Eng Lithium (climateandcommunity.org)

More coverage from around the web

leadthecharge.org Batteries - Lead the Charge

aol.co.uk Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands - AOL

voxeurop.eu From Indonesia’s hallowed forests to Volkswagen’s electric cars: the dirty nickel trail

biztoc.com Revealed: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to destructive deforestation of indigenous lands

survivalinternational.org Indonesia: Presidential visit for new EV battery factory is “a disaster for uncontacted Indigenous people”

Appeared in: 2026-10-16 (#3) · 2026-10-17 (#17)

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