As the number of electric vehicles increases, so does the need for more transparent and verifiable information about batteries. It is not just a battery’s capacity and range that matter; the materials used in its production, its carbon footprint, its recycled content, its technical specifications, and its condition over time are also becoming increasingly important.
To address this need, the European Union is launching the digital battery passport initiative. The initiative aims to make electric vehicle batteries more traceable from production through to the end of their life.
The digital battery passport is not merely a technical registration system that concerns only manufacturers. It could also mark the beginning of a new era for electric vehicle users, used-vehicle buyers, service centers, recycling organizations, and businesses that give batteries a second life.
What is a digital battery passport?
A digital battery passport is a digital record that stores technical, environmental, and life-cycle information about a specific battery.
Scanning the QR code on the battery will provide access to the relevant digital record. However, not all information in the passport will be publicly available. End users, authorized organizations, market surveillance authorities, service providers, and recycling companies will be able to view different sets of information based on their needs and access permissions.
The goal is to make it easier to track the battery’s manufacturing specifications, the materials it contains, its sustainability criteria, and the significant changes it undergoes throughout its life cycle.
When will the program begin?
The requirement for a digital battery passport under the European Union’s Battery and Waste Battery Regulation February 18, 2027 It is scheduled to begin on [date].
The application;
- Electric vehicle batteries,
- Batteries for light transportation vehicles such as electric bicycles and scooters,
- Industrial batteries with a capacity exceeding 2 kWh,
- Certain residential energy storage batteries
will include.
The responsibility for creating and maintaining the passport will lie with the economic operator placing the finished battery on the EU market, rather than with individual cell or module suppliers. The European Commission states that the system will operate through a decentralized structure governed by common rules, in which responsible operators manage the data rather than a central database.
What information will be included in the battery passport?
The information in the battery passport may vary depending on the battery type and access permissions. It is anticipated that the information accessible to end users will include the following sections:
- The battery manufacturer and identification information,
- The chemical composition of the battery and its critical raw materials,
- Rated capacity, voltage, and power,
- Energy efficiency,
- Carbon footprint,
- The percentage of recycled material,
- The commercial warranty period,
- Cell and battery pack resistance,
- Safety information for use and storage,
- Waste management and recycling guidelines,
- EU conformity certificates.
Authorized service centers, market surveillance authorities, notified bodies, and recycling facilities will have access to more detailed data, such as technical test reports, safety information, disassembly instructions, and the battery’s potential for reuse.
Certain information, such as the battery’s health status, usage status, and lifecycle data, may only be shared with parties that have legitimate access authorization. Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that anyone who scans the QR code will be able to view the battery’s entire technical history.
What information will be included in the battery passport?
The information in the battery passport may vary depending on the battery type and access permissions. It is anticipated that the information accessible to end users will include the following sections:
- The battery manufacturer and identification information,
- The chemical composition of the battery and its critical raw materials,
- Rated capacity, voltage, and power,
- Energy efficiency,
- Carbon footprint,
- The percentage of recycled material,
- The commercial warranty period,
- Cell and battery pack resistance,
- Safety information for use and storage,
- Waste management and recycling guidelines,
- EU conformity certificates.
Authorized service centers, market surveillance authorities, notified bodies, and recycling facilities will have access to more detailed data, such as technical test reports, safety information, disassembly instructions, and the battery’s potential for reuse.
Certain information, such as the battery’s health status, usage status, and lifecycle data, may only be shared with parties that have legitimate access authorization. Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that anyone who scans the QR code will be able to view the battery’s entire technical history.
Will charging stations transfer data to the battery passport?
With the digital battery passport charging station It should not be assumed that there is a direct and mandatory data transfer between them.
The responsibility for creating the battery passport lies with the economic operator who places the end-of-life battery on the EU market. A charging network operator is not responsible for creating the battery passport simply because it provides a charging service.
However, in the future, usage data obtained from battery management systems and authorized service infrastructure may become increasingly important in assessing battery health, planning for a second life, and warranty processes.
Here, the difference between the maximum power provided by the charging station and the power accepted by the vehicle is maintained. The battery passport does not allow the vehicle to be charged beyond its technical limits, nor does it take over charging control from the vehicle’s battery management system.
How should manufacturers and exporters prepare?
It would be beneficial for companies supplying vehicles or batteries to the EU market to focus on the following areas during the preparation process:
- Identifying the data fields required in the battery passport,
- Standardizing the information to be obtained from suppliers,
- The implementation of a unique identifier and QR code infrastructure for each battery,
- Identifying the units responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of the data,
- The separation of publicly available and authorized data,
- Recording the processes of reuse, refurbishment, and recycling,
- Planning for data security and access permissions.
The battery passport should not be viewed merely as a document to be prepared at the final stage. Since the necessary information will be gathered from various suppliers starting from the raw material and production stages of the battery, the preparation process must cover the entire value chain.
Conclusion: The Era of Transparency in Electric Vehicle Batteries
The digital battery passport aims to make electric vehicle batteries more traceable, comparable, and compatible with the circular economy.
For users, this could mean greater technical transparency; for the used-car market, more informed evaluations; and for the recycling industry, more accurate material information. For manufacturers, however, it means a new digital compliance process that requires the collection and ongoing updating of supply chain data.
For electric vehicle and battery manufacturers in Turkey, the most direct impact of the regulation will be felt in their export processes to the EU. However, the tracking of battery history, the assessment of battery health, and the growing adoption of second-life applications may also affect the electric mobility ecosystem in Turkey over time.
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