You would like toto electric?
Beev offers multi-brand 100% electric vehicles at the best prices, as well as recharging solutions.
What is a passport?battery ?
The GBA, a a platform bringing together a hundred or so entities worldwide (manufacturers, governments, organisations and businesses) envisage that this passport will take the form of a QR code installed directly on batteries with a capacity of more than 2 kWh.
In fact, the emergence of this system is the result of a European initiative. From 1ᵉʳ July 2024, car manufacturers will have to disclose details of batteries, including their carbon footprint. The French are at the forefront of carbon neutrality.
Indeed, as part of the "green industry" plan presented by Emmanuel Macron in May 2023, France is set to become the 1ᵉʳ European country to reform these criteria in question, placing greater emphasis on the carbon footprint of vehicles. And it has done so.
In France, the new 2024 environmental bonus was introduced on 15 December 2023, demonstrating this commitment to cleaner vehicles across the country. From now on, a new electric vehicle must obtain a minimum environmental score based on a number of factors:
- The materials used Assessment of the impact of steel, aluminium and other metals in manufacturing.
- CO2 emissions : Emissions linked to the energy used for transformation, vehicle assembly and battery production are taken into account.
- Transporting the vehicle Analysis of the means of transport used to deliver the vehicle in France.
- Additional factors Inclusion of recycled and bio-based materials, as well as battery reparability.
To find out more about this ecological bonus, and especially about the vehicles eligible for it, our article onthe list of the 53 electric cars concernedmay be of interest to you.
In 2026, batteries will have to display their energy performance. The battery passport will go further, incorporating social and ecological aspects for the end consumer.
A dedicated QR code
The information set out above will therefore be available via a QR code fixed to the battery from 2026. In short, it would be a kind of "identity card", because what better way than the battery passport to achieve this objective?
This QR code would direct the consumer to a platform containing the passport data. The code in question will have to be visibly printed or engraved and have dimensions that can be read by most readers. It must be either :
- be indelible on each battery
- or be affixed to the packaging or accompanying documents.
The battery passport and QR code will only be valid until the battery is recycled, following its life cycle.
The Global Battery Alliance has also posted examples of models from its member manufacturers, such as Tesla, on its website.
In fact, this tool is proving particularly interesting, especially with the active participation over the last 3 years of the members of the alliance, including Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Tesla, CATL, BASF, Umicore and UNICEF, in its validation.
Indeed, the GBA aims to promote transparency within battery value chains. The German government is said to be providing more than €8.2 million in financial support for this initiative, underlining the usefulness of this passport in facilitating the recycling of raw materials.
What information will be included?
This new traceability method will provide a more detailed picture of the make-up of each battery. It would therefore be possible to discover various technical information such as :
- its assembly,
- the manufacturers involved in creating the cell,
- the places and times of production,
- the number of cells per group,
- chemical nature,
- the weight of the battery,
- the proportion of recycled materials in the cells and their origin.
For more information on this battery passport, here are some key dates:
- 2027 = maximum carbon footprint limits will be set to eliminate the most harmful batteries.
- until 2030 = monitor the composition of each battery while respecting a basic formula (as yet undisclosed).
- 2035 = Subject to change from 2035 onwards depending on developments in knowledge.
What is the real benefit of this battery passport?
This revolutionary document is much more than a simple administrative formality: it opens the door to transparency and sustainability. But what is the real benefit of this passport for electric cars? That's precisely what we're going to find out.
Transparency on battery SoH
To guarantee up-to-date battery passport data on the health and lifespan of each associated storage system, from May 2024 the new European battery regulation will require the integration of a BMS (Battery Management System).
As well as balancing the cells for longer life, this device can evaluate the SoC (State Of Charge) and SoH (State Of Health) based on the voltage and current values of the batteries.
The BMS data will have to be accessible to the legal purchaser of the battery or to third parties, depending on the latest indications. It will therefore be necessary to specify what information from the BMS will be shared and to clearly define the operational area of access for avoid any risk of security, intellectual property infringement or fraud.
In addition, manufacturers already using management systems for their batteries are likely to benefit from an easy transition thanks to their consolidated technology. This will enable them to anticipate the requirements of the European battery regulation.
Highlighting the carbon footprint of batteries
To assess the ecological impact of batteries using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and identify options for improvement, European regulations on batteries have introduced standards and methods for measuring their carbon footprint. It assesses theall direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissionsThis is the case throughout the battery value chain.
The lifecycle approach extends the analysis to all stages of the product, as explained above. This approach aims to map all post-production activities in order to assess their impact.
All the players involvedIn this way, both the quality supply chain and the battery manufacturing company can benefit, calculate the product's carbon footprint. This assessment will involve working with an external body to certify the veracity of the data concerning the product's carbon footprint.
Battery recycling and recovery
The aim of the European regulation on batteries is to support thecircular economy throughout the battery life cycle. It sets out end-of-life guidelines, including targets and responsibilities for manufacturers to recover used materials and batteries.
From May 2025, batteries must bear the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol to indicate that they are to be recycled. This symbol indicates that they should not be disposed of with mixed waste, but should be collected separately as WEEE at specialist centres.
To offset the scarcity of minerals, in particular by restricting their acquisition from deposits in favour of alternative sources, aimed at reducing the CO2 emissions linked to their transport, minimum quotas of recycled minerals are imposed in many batteries.
From May 2028, batteries for industry, electric vehicles and cars will require documentation detailing the elements derived from secondary sources.
Conclusion
The battery passport is much more than just a document for electric cars. the key to more sustainable and transparent mobility. For drivers, it's the assurance of a autonomy reliable and long-lasting performance. For industry experts, it is an essential tool for assessing the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of batteries.
This technology not only ensures the quality of the batteries, it also also provides information on their environmental impacthelping to build a cleaner energy future. Whether you're an innovation enthusiast or a professional looking to integrate the latest advances, exploring the ins and outs of the battery passport opens the door to a deeper understanding of electromobility.
At BeevHere, we keep you informed about the innovations and advances that are transforming the automotive industry and contributing to a more sustainable future.
