Volvo Cars is making waves with the announcement of the world’s first EV battery passport, a groundbreaking initiative designed for its upcoming flagship EX90 SUV. This passport will meticulously track the origins of raw materials, components, recycled content, and carbon footprint, offering customers unparalleled transparency regarding the vehicle’s environmental impact.
Developed in collaboration with UK startup Circulor, known for its use of blockchain technology to map supply chains, the battery passport has been a labor of over five years. Volvo’s forward-thinking approach aligns with forthcoming EU regulations, where battery passports will be mandatory for all EVs sold from February 2027, providing comprehensive information on battery composition and the origin of key materials.
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“We are proud to unveil the world’s first EV battery passport, showcasing our commitment to sustainability and transparency,” stated Vanessa Butani, Volvo’s head of global sustainability. “By introducing this passport nearly three years ahead of regulatory requirements, we aim to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future.”
The EX90 SUV, set to begin production at Volvo’s Charleston, South Carolina plant, will be the first vehicle equipped with this revolutionary passport. Deliveries are slated for the second half of the year in both Europe and North America.
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Owners will have access to a simplified version of the passport through a QR code located on the driver’s door, with plans for a gradual rollout to all Volvo EVs. Additionally, a comprehensive version of the passport will be provided to regulators, including information on the EV battery’s state of health for up to 15 years, crucial for assessing used EV values.
Douglas Johnson-Poensgen, CEO of Circulor, emphasized the impact of the passport’s introduction, stating, “Car manufacturing has never been about which rock went into which component and which got connected to which car. It’s taken a long time to figure that out.”
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While there is no such mandate in the United States, automakers are showing interest due to potential requirements to qualify for EV subsidies under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Volvo’s investment in Circulor, alongside companies like Jaguar Land Rover and BHP, highlights the industry’s commitment to sustainable practices.
Despite the rush among automakers to adopt battery passports, many may struggle to meet the EU’s 2027 deadline, underscoring the challenges of implementing such complex systems.
