The Environmental Cost of Driving Environmentally Friendly

Tesla showroom in Groningen © Justine Kozlovska

Tesla – a sleek, elegant exterior, white leather seats, a promise of environmental friendliness, and a staggering 510 horsepower, what more could you want from a car? The VIN (number), the indicator of the country of the vehicle’s origin, reveals the actual environmental cost of this seemingly attractive car. 

Tesla cars manufactured in China have a greater carbon footprint than those made in Germany or Australia, posing a threat to the Global South. Nickel, a critical component of Tesla’s batteries, is mined in countries like Indonesia, often at the expense of rainforests, Indigenous communities, and local ecosystems. 

Reporter Amber van Kempen spoke with Tesla salespeople and a driver to learn more.