Amnesty calls on electric car manufacturers to be more transparent

Manufacturers building electric cars should be more transparent about how they address human rights risks in their supply chains. According to a new report released by Amnesty International, communities may be exposed to exploitation, health hazards, and environmental damage due to the rapid expansion of mining for metals used in vehicle batteries.

The global demand for electric vehicles has sharply increased the need for metals such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel. Amnesty investigated how 13 major manufacturers handle workers’ rights, particularly in the mining sector. 

Mercedes ranked highest with a score of 51 out of 90, while Tesla followed with a score of 49. Stellantis, Volkswagen, BMW, and Ford were rated as “average” in meeting international standards, while Renault and General Motors were in the middle range. BYD (11/90), Mitsubishi Motors (13/90), and Hyundai (21/90) were rated poorly.

In 2023, Amnesty accused multinational companies of forced evictions, threats, and intimidation of local populations at cobalt and copper mining sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The organisation also reported human rights violations in nickel mines in the Philippines in 2021.

“Local communities suffer from forced evictions, health issues due to pollution and difficulties accessing water,” said Agnès Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International. Although the sector has made “undeniable progress” since the first report in 2017, more work remains to be done, according to Callamard.

“Car companies must use their global influence as major buyers of minerals to pressure mining companies and smelters to mitigate human rights risks,” she said. “The laggards need to step up and show they take human rights seriously.”

^{A Tesla electric vehicle charging station in Nivelles © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}