A new ‘electric battery passport’, mandated for all electric vehicles (EVs) from 2027, is poised to reshape the electric car market across Europe, including the UK despite its exit from the European Union (EU).
This passport, which will be a legal necessity, aims to provide detailed proof of the origins of the raw materials used in EV batteries, the percentage of recycled components, and the ‘lifecycle carbon footprint’ of the battery.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the European Parliament, which includes a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engines by 2035. According to EU officials, from 1 February 2027, all EV batteries over 2 kWh will need to possess a unique battery passport, accessible via a QR code on the battery.
Manufacturers will bear the responsibility for displaying accurate information. The battery passport will document the production process and detail how the vehicle and its components were transported.
The EU Battery Regulation requires mandatory supply chain due diligence, addressing the social and environmental risks associated with extracting, processing, and trading raw materials for battery manufacturing. With just over two years until the law takes effect, government officials are collaborating with manufacturers to ensure a smooth transition.
Battery passports will demand data from various sectors, including mining and refining companies, recycling firms, and producers of batteries and their components. Each passport will feature a unique identification number and include specific information on the make, model, and details of the vehicle in which the battery is installed.
This comprehensive documentation will facilitate repairs and replacements, making it easier for service providers to access necessary information. Furthermore, the details on the passport will be accessible to the general public, EU regulatory bodies, and end-of-life processors responsible for the disposal of spent batteries.
This move is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in the EV market, promoting sustainable practices and consumer confidence. As the deadline approaches, both manufacturers and regulators are working diligently to ensure compliance and prepare for the significant changes ahead.
Q: What is the electric battery passport?
A: The electric battery passport is a document that provides detailed information about the origins of raw materials in EV batteries, the percentage of recycled components, and the lifecycle carbon footprint of the battery.
Q: When does the electric battery passport requirement come into effect?
A: The requirement comes into effect on 1 February 2027.
Q: Which vehicles will need an electric battery passport?
A: All electric vehicles (EVs) with batteries over 2 kWh will need to have an electric battery passport.
Q: How can the battery passport be accessed?
A: The battery passport can be accessed using a QR code on the battery itself.
Q: Who is responsible for providing the information on the battery passport?
A: The responsibility to display the correct information lies with the manufacturers.
Q: What information will the battery passport include?
A: The passport will include details on the origins of raw materials, the amount of recycled content, the lifecycle carbon footprint, the production process, transportation details, and specifics on the make and model of the vehicle.
Q: Why is the electric battery passport being implemented?
A: It is part of the EU’s wider plan to enhance transparency, promote sustainable practices, and ban the sale of new internal combustion engines by 2035.
Q: Who will have access to the information on the battery passport?
A: The information will be available to the general public, EU regulatory bodies, and end-of-life processors who handle the disposal of used batteries.
Q: What sectors need to provide information for the battery passport?
A: Information will be required from mining and refining companies, recycling firms, and battery and component manufacturers.
Q: How will the battery passport benefit consumers and the industry?
A: It will improve transparency, facilitate repairs and replacements, and ensure compliance with environmental and social regulations, thus boosting consumer confidence and promoting sustainable practices in the EV market.
