Chinese battery giant CATL and premium car manufacturer BMW aim to deepen their existing partnership. In a new letter of intent, the focus is specifically on data exchange: Both parties intend to make progress in cross-border data transfer through pilot projects, with an eye on the upcoming battery passport requirements in the EU.
BMW and CATL have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in China during the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was accompanied by a high-level German business delegation.
Long-time partners
According to a CATL statement, the declaration of intent aims to launch pilot projects for trustworthy data exchange within the battery passport framework. It also seeks to explore methods for CO₂ accounting and innovative tools for calculating battery carbon footprints.
CATL is preparing for these new regulations, as the Chinese battery manufacturer supplies many European automotive manufacturers, including BMW.
The two companies have maintained a strategic partnership since 2012, which has since expanded to include battery production, joint research and development, and sustainable supply chains. CATL states that the new declaration of intent will extend the partnership from product cooperation to broader institutional alignment.
“Through in-depth cooperation on products and supply chains, both parties will further enhance their digital management and exchange capabilities, thereby continuously strengthening compliance with EU market access regulations and boosting the low-carbon and green competitiveness of their products,” states CATL.
Pilot projects
The pilot projects will utilise the open data ecosystem Catena-X for the automotive industry “to support technical standards alignment, drive coherent and science-driven policy frameworks, and to foster long-term industrial stability,” as the Chinese battery manufacturer stated.
The goal is “conducting innovative practices for China-EU regulatory compliance, and jointly driving the demonstration and wider adoption of global battery information and data standards.”
Passport mandatory in 2027
In practice, the focus is primarily on ensuring a smooth transition when the EU battery passport becomes mandatory. Such passports will be required in the EU from 2027. This follows the European Union’s adoption of a new regulation for the battery market in August 2023.
Key aspects of the regulation include mandatory declarations and labelling, particularly regarding battery components and recycled content, as well as the introduction of an electronic ‘battery passport’ and a QR code.
To provide member states and market participants with sufficient time to prepare, the labelling requirements have been in force since this year, while the passport and QR code will become mandatory in 2027.
