Amnesty International gives EV makers low marks for human rights policies

In a recent report, Amnesty International evaluated the human rights policies of 13 leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to address supply chain transparency issues. Notably, BYD and Mitsubishi received the lowest scores, reflecting inadequate measures to ensure human rights protections within their sourcing practices. The assessment revealed that none of the companies provided sufficient evidence of conducting proper human rights due diligence, particularly concerning materials essential for EV batteries such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel. The urgency of this evaluation stems from the anticipated rise in demand for these minerals, driven by global initiatives to transition towards EVs to combat climate change. The charity emphasized that the shift to electric vehicles should not compromise the rights of workers and communities near mining operations. Furthermore, the report highlighted that most companies failed to adopt policies aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Amnesty International insisted that companies must disclose their supply chains in order to understand the human rights implications of their sourcing. The organization also pointed to the role of governments in enforcing stricter regulations that would mandate environmental and human rights assessments across the industry. Amnesty’s ongoing dialogue with certain manufacturers demonstrates a proactive approach to improving human rights standards within the EV sector, although much work still remains to be done as industry stakeholders are urged to enhance transparency and accountability in their operations.