Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implementation of a "Battery Passport" by European automakers, particularly Kia, as a response to new EU regulations aimed at enhancing battery transparency and traceability throughout the battery lifecycle [4][5][13]. Group 1: Battery Passport Implementation - Kia Europe is conducting a public trial of the "cell-level" battery passport on the EV3 model, which allows real-time tracking of battery health and maintenance diagnostics [5][8]. - The battery passport will be mandatory for all electric and hybrid vehicles sold in Europe by February 2027, exceeding the basic regulatory requirements by integrating additional safety-related data [5][10]. - The system enables data collection from each battery cell, ensuring transparency and traceability throughout the battery's lifecycle, which can benefit vehicle owners by extending battery life and reducing maintenance costs [8][10]. Group 2: Regulatory Context - The EU's new battery regulation (EU 2023/1542) mandates that all electric vehicles with a capacity greater than 2kWh must have a digital battery passport by February 18, 2027 [13][14]. - The regulation outlines over 100 data attributes that the battery passport must include, covering aspects such as carbon footprint, recycling content, and performance [13][14]. - The focus has shifted from whether to comply with regulations to how to effectively implement the necessary systems and data management [15][16]. Group 3: Industry Collaboration and Future Prospects - Kia's initiative is part of a broader industry trend, with other automakers like Volvo also planning to implement battery passports in alignment with EU regulations [20][21]. - The collaboration among various stakeholders, including academic institutions and technology providers, is crucial for the successful deployment of the battery passport system [10][22]. - The battery passport is expected to evolve beyond compliance, impacting after-sales services and financial aspects such as second-hand vehicle valuations and warranty pricing [22][23].