Volvo is set to become the first electric vehicle manufacturer to offer a battery passport on its new $76,695 /£95,400 /AU$155,00 EX90 electric SUV, which will offer information on the raw material components, the amount of recycled content and the overall carbon footprint of the battery pack. Similar to the information provided by some fashion brands, such as Nudie Jeans and outdoor clothing specialist Rab, the battery passport is designed to create greater product transparency and educate the buyer on its sustainability credentials. The passport was developed by Volvo, itself owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely, with input from UK startup Circulor.
According to Reuters , Circulor uses blockchain technology to map supply chains for companies. Volvo will be gaining the competitive edge on the competition, as battery passports are due to become mandatory for electric vehicles sold in the European Union from February 2027, thanks to an initiative that aims to make the origin of key materials, their carbon footprint and recycled content more transparent for both regulators and the customers. The first EX90 models with a battery passport will roll off the new Volvo production line in Charleston, South Carolina in the coming weeks, and will take the form of a QR code that’s located inside the driver’s door.
This will offer simplified information on the origins of the battery and its material make-up, while a more complete version of the passport will be passed to regulators, .
