Rivian Scores -15. Tesla Scores -10. Neither "Green" EV Maker Is Clean.
Electric vehicles are supposed to be the ethical choice. The two most prominent pure-play EV companies in the US both score negative on our ethical assessment.
The reasons are different. Neither is flattering.
The Comparison
| Value | Tesla | Rivian |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Waste | +40 | -30 |
| Safe & Smart Tech | -40 | +10 |
| Better Health | 0 | +10 |
| Honest & Fair Business | -20 | -60 |
| Fair Pay & Worker Respect | -50 | -30 |
| Planet-Friendly | -10 | -40 |
| No War, No Weapons | -30 | 0 |
| Average | -10 | -15 |
Tesla: The Labour Problem
Tesla's worst score is -50 on Fair Pay & Worker Respect. The evidence includes NLRB complaints, documented anti-union activity at multiple facilities, racial discrimination lawsuits (including a $3.2 million verdict in 2023), and workplace safety records at Fremont and Austin that exceed industry injury rates.
Tesla does score +40 on Zero Waste & Sustainable Products, reflecting its battery recycling programs and the core EV product itself. But a green product does not equal a green company.
Rivian: The Honesty Problem
Rivian's worst score is -60 on Honest & Fair Business. The company has faced securities fraud allegations, production target misses, and investor lawsuits over forward-looking statements that did not materialise. For a company that has yet to turn a profit, the gap between promises and delivery weighs heavily.
Rivian scores -40 on Planet-Friendly Business, worse than Tesla at -10. Pre-production and ramp-up phases carry significant environmental costs that the finished product's zero-emission driving cannot yet offset.
The EV Myth
Buying an electric car reduces tailpipe emissions. Investing in an EV company does not automatically align with your values. Both Tesla and Rivian carry documented ethical failures that have nothing to do with what fuel their cars use.
"Green" is a product feature, not a company characteristic.