A media report alleges that the nickel industry in Indonesia for electric car batteries has led to the following environmental and human rights allegations: a range of health issues; including eye irritation and respiratory problems; fishermen find it increasingly difficult to make a living, attributing the poor catch to hot wastewater; brick-red tailings that flows to rivers and streams running through villages are often toxic; and damaged rice fields due to polluted waters, among others.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited companies named as "project owners", Aneka Tambang, CMOC Group Limited, GEM Co. Ltd., Harita Group, Indonesia Battery Corp., Merdeka Copper Gold, Ningbo Lygend Mining, and QMB New Energy Materials; as well as "off-takers", BMW, Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen to respond to the allegations. Only BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen responded. Their responses are linked below.