Battery passport from February 2027: what vehicle workshops should know

The EU Batteries Regulation has applied since February 2024, and its obligations are coming into force step by step. For vehicle workshops, the most important aspects are access to battery state-of-health data, the digital battery passport and the take-back of waste batteries.

Access to state-of-health data

Since 18 August 2024, the battery management system of traction batteries has had to provide data on the state of health and expected lifetime. Anyone who has lawfully acquired the battery is given non-discriminatory read-only access, as are those acting on their behalf (Art. 14). This serves purposes such as assessing residual value or preparing for reuse. Battery diagnostics is therefore becoming a sought-after service for workshops, for example when a used car is purchased.

The battery passport from 18 February 2027

From this date, every newly placed on the market battery for electric vehicles or for light means of transport such as e-bikes will need an electronic battery passport, as will every industrial battery over 2 kWh (Art. 77). The passport can be accessed via a QR code and contains, among other things, information on composition and condition.

Responsibility lies with whoever places the battery on the market, which is usually the manufacturer. Workshops use the passport mainly as a source of information for diagnostics, repair and dismantling.

Replaceable batteries in light means of transport

Also from 18 February 2027, batteries in light means of transport and their cells must be replaceable by independent professionals (Art. 11). This mainly affects motorcycle and e-bike workshops.

What qualification is required

Anyone who removes, tests or prepares batteries for transport is working on the high-voltage system and needs at least level 2S under DGUV Information 209-093. Live working requires level 3S.