--- title: "Environmental Groups Horrified by New Tesla Plan" description: "Several NGOs have co-signed a letter to Telsa and Elon Musk, begging the founder to avoid investing in Indonesia's nickel mining industry." date: "2022-07-27" modified: "2022-07-27" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/environmental-groups-tesla-plan" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" - "Tesla" tags: - "electric vehicles" - "environment" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Environmental Groups Horrified by New Tesla Plan ![Several NGOs have co-signed a letter to Telsa and Elon Musk, begging the founder to avoid investing in Indonesia's nickel mining industry.]() *\Image: Getty Images\* ## Cease and Desist Numerous environmental and human rights groups have [written and co-signed an open letter]() to Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk, begging the billionaire to avoid investing in Indonesia's nickel mining industry for fears of mining-induced environmental devastation and harm to Indonesia's indigenous communities, among other potential abuses. This letter comes on the heels of a meeting between Musk and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo back in May, where the two reportedly discussed Tesla's potential investment into lucrative Indonesian nickel mining, [*Bloomberg* reports](). "The nickel industry in Indonesia has a record of environmental damage, criminalization threats that abuse democracy and equity, the threats to the vulnerable groups, and multiple violations of law," reads the letter, which warned that the nickel industry has and will continue to cause mass deforestation, water pollution, and the criminalization of indigenous peoples defending their land. ## Nickel and Dimed Nickel is essential to building batteries, including those powering Tesla's electric vehicles. Specifically, nickel improves battery storage, which is one of the EV industry's top concerns. Musk has openly pushed nickel producers to "please mine more nickel" in the past — while also paying lip service to environmental concerns — [saying in a 2020 conference call]() that "Tesla will give you a giant contract for a long period of time if you mine nickel efficiently and in an environmentally sensitive way." ## Material Shortages Whether the billionaire abstains from mining in Indonesia remains to be seen, although given the current state of the market, that feels less than likely. Companies worldwide are racing to become major players in the EV world, while a [shortage of raw materials]() needed for the vehicles' batteries — nickel included — has caused the cost of components to skyrocket, threatening the rapidly growing industry. Musk also isn't the only industry exec who's pushed for increased mining efforts. Back in May, Ford's CEO [told *CNBC*]() that in order to bring more EVs to the market, "we need mining permitting... and we need the government and private sector to work together and bring it \[to the US\]." Still, the famously unpredictable Musk has loudly and often made a reputation for himself as a vocal climate advocate — [polluting rocket launches]() and[ geo-engineering satellites]() aside. Who knows, perhaps this letter will change his mind — but don't hold your breath. **More on EV batteries:** [Family Annoyed When Replacement Batteries Cost More than Electric Car]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()