Data requirements and availabilities for a digital battery passport – A value chain actor perspective

Abstract

Digital battery passports (DBPs) may help support the transition towards more sustainable and circular electric vehicle battery (EVB) value chains by providing respective value chain actors with valuable data in sustainable battery management. To ensure such support, DBPs have to fulfil EVB value chain actors' data needs and requirements. This work sets out to provide initial empirical insight into EVB value chain actors' data needs and requirements in the context of sustainable battery management. The analysis is based on a DBP concept comprising 54 data points and four information categories. The research design encompassed focus group expert workshops, expert interviews, follow-up expert consultation and subsequent qualitative content analyses. The results reveal diverging perspectives regarding data needs and availability. These are attributable to value chain actors' different positions and roles in the value chain, as well as to a lack of well-defined information flows along the EVB value chain. The work augments current DBP research by introducing the first systematic mapping of EVB value chain actors’ data needs in sustainability battery management. It further provides policy makers, and practitioners with guidance on the information content of DBPs, and on how their development and implementation may be supported.