A New Era of Battery Transparency: Kia Europe Trials Innovative Battery Passport
Kia Europe embarks on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance transparency in electric vehicle (EV) battery management with the introduction of a battery passport. This pioneering effort offers a glimpse into the future of EV battery health monitoring, providing real-time data at a cellular level.
The battery passport is designed to offer comprehensive insights into the State of Health (SoH) of each battery cell. It includes live diagnostics for repairs and complete traceability throughout the lifecycle of the battery. For EV owners, this translates into prolonged battery lifespans, reduced maintenance costs, and increased confidence in the purchase or sale of pre-owned EVs.
Marc Hedrich, President and CEO at Kia Europe, highlighted the company’s vision: “Kia aims to set a new standard for customers regarding battery transparency and performance. Through testing cell-level battery passports, we gain insights on what ownership benefits we can offer our customers. On top of advantages such as extended battery life, we will be building on a relationship of trust as well.”
In addition to this research, Kia is forming a specialized internal team to develop its own battery passport service. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with partners from the EV battery supply chain, aims to exceed regulatory demands by incorporating extra safety data. By February 2027, Kia plans to roll out this service across all EV/HEV models in Europe, in alignment with EU battery regulations.
The trial involves a Kia EV3 outfitted with a Dukosi battery cell monitoring system, which was shipped from Korea to Germany. This vehicle is capable of transmitting live data from each battery cell directly to its digital passport, ensuring stakeholders have up-to-date information on the battery’s SoH.
Users can access this data via the car’s infotainment system, which updates automatically after any maintenance to ensure precise traceability. The trial utilizes a data-sharing platform developed by TNO, ensuring that the battery passport data remains accessible and secure.
Coordinated by Delft University of Technology in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group, the trial also explores the system’s adaptability for different car models or industries. This initiative is part of a larger EU research project aiming to navigate the complexities and benefits of implementing the EU battery passport in a multi-stakeholder context.
Technical integration, handled by Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Motor Group, ensures that data is securely shared between vehicle systems and external stakeholders. The EU-funded DATAPIPE project and ARN have also contributed to exploring the future potential of digital product passports, which currently encompass over 100 data attributes.
Unlike conventional systems, which assess the SoH of entire battery packs, Kia’s approach focuses on individual cells. This granularity allows for early detection of maintenance needs, extending battery life and cutting down long-term expenses. Furthermore, it facilitates cell-specific repairs, avoiding the need for complete module replacements.
For those owning used EVs, real-time battery data enhances trust and supports higher resale values. It also aids in making informed decisions about battery reuse and recycling, contributing to sustainable practices by keeping batteries operational longer and reducing waste.
Kia’s trial exemplifies how compliance can coexist with customer value. By prioritizing cell-level transparency, real-time diagnostics, and live data sharing, Kia is paving the way for a more sustainable future in the EV industry.
Original Story at electriccarsreport.com