European Union to mandate digital Battery Passports by 2027

The European Union is implementing new regulations regarding battery management. Starting February 18, 2027, the EU Batteries Regulation will require an electronic ‘Battery Passport’ for electric vehicle, light means of transport, and industrial batteries exceeding 2 kWh.

This digital record, accessible via QR code, will track a battery’s entire lifecycle. Publicly available data will include material composition, carbon footprint, and recycled content, while more sensitive information regarding chemical composition and safety measures will be restricted to authorized parties like recyclers and repairers. This shift aims to promote a circular economy by providing transparency for end-of-life management and sustainable product design.

In parallel with regulatory shifts, researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology have developed a new anode material for lithium-ion batteries. This material aims to address the issue of ‘lithium plating’—the buildup of metal lithium on the anode during high-power charging—which can reduce battery life and pose safety risks. In laboratory tests, the new anode maintained 86 percent of its original capacity even during extremely high-power charging (10C), which theoretically allows for a full charge in approximately six minutes.