Part 9/11:
A troubling aspect of the EV supply chain includes the mining practices that ultimately source the cobalt utilized in batteries. Reports of child labor, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have heightened ethical scrutiny of the industry. The proposed EV Fair Trade Act aims to mandate manufacturers to certify that their components are free from child or slave labor, drawing attention to a necessary shift in manufacturing and sourcing methods that prioritize ethical practices alongside technological advancement.