In a move reminiscent of tracing the origin of food products, the European Union (EU) is now focusing on the source and history of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Similar to knowing where your steak came from, the EU aims to require battery passports for all EVs, providing details about the raw materials and production history of the batteries.
The responsibility of creating these battery passports falls on the manufacturer, whether the automaker or a third-party company. The EU mandates that whoever produces the battery must compile and present this information. However, to safeguard intellectual property, manufacturers are only obligated to share general details without disclosing the exact composition of the battery.
While the United States currently lacks a requirement for battery passports, there is speculation that it might adopt a similar measure in the future. Such passports could be a tool for automakers and the government to easily demonstrate compliance with federal tax credit requirements.
The specific information to be included in these battery passports is yet to be defined, but a $7.6 million project called the Battery Pass Consortium is actively working on it. This collaborative effort, involving 11 partners, including BMW and Audi, aims to implement the initiative by February 2027, pending successful execution.
Contrary to dystopian concerns, implementing battery passports does not involve customers presenting documents when crossing borders. Instead, it focuses on enhancing transparency within the automotive industry. The goal is to establish clear communication between automakers, battery suppliers, and consumers, ensuring that individuals know the origins of their cars’ batteries.