EU Battery Passports: Sustainability & Impact

First, we had energy certificates, then carbon labels. Now, we have "Battery Passports" - the latest tool for communicating sustainability credentials.

In its drive for a sustainable, circular, and digital economy, EU proposals were made in 2019 to replace the EU Battery Directive with the more stringent EU Battery Regulation. Within this proposal is the requirement of a battery passport for all batteries of 2kWh or greater being used for transport or industrial uses. If accepted later in 2023, these battery passports will be mandatory by 2027.

So, what is a "Battery Passport"?

A battery passport is a digital record of that battery's life that is maintained and is accessible via a QR code on the unit itself. Proposals suggest delivering key information, including:

• Documentation of the electrochemical properties of the battery
• Associated environmental and social impacts of the battery
• Record of activity throughout the battery's life, including usage, degradation, and repair

Problems Addressed by Battery Passports

Sustainability

Significantly, it will bring considerable impact transparency to decision-making. As we transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles, the burden of greenhouse gas impacts moves from the tailpipe to the manufacturing and end-of-life processes of the battery.

At the same time, questions…