Solaris Bus & Coach, part of the Spanish CAF Group, has delivered a series-produced bus with a 'battery passport' to BVG, a public transport company of Berlin. It is claiming a world first with the battery passport.
The electric bus, Urbino 18, is equipped with Solaris’ high energy batteries that has a capacity of around 700kWh.
This delivery is part of a larger order of 50 articulated electric buses placed by BVG Berlin at the end of 2023, with the entire order expected to be completed by 2025.
Notably, all vehicles in this order will be equipped with a battery passport, the company said.
According to the new regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and Council, digital battery passport will be mandatory for all electric vehicle batteries by 18 February 2027.
The passport will include data on chemical composition, raw material content, carbon footprint, and the share of renewable materials used in production.
It will provide essential information about the battery’s composition, origin of materials, environmental impact, and details necessary for proper recycling.
The battery passport aims to enhance transparency across the battery's lifecycle, from raw material extraction to recycling.
It includes data on chemical composition, critical raw material content, carbon footprint, and the proportion of renewable materials. This initiative is especially important as electric vehicle batteries contain valuable and rare materials.
The battery passport also facilitates the tracking of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This supports ethical sourcing practices and efficient recycling.
Solaris’ range of battery-equipped vehicles includes electric buses, hydrogen vehicles, and trolleybuses.
To date, the company has delivered over 5,000 zero-emission vehicles.
Solaris Battery HUB serves as a dedicated competence centre, managing all aspects of battery operations. The HUB focuses on advancing sustainable practices, including the development of a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries, ensuring efficient use, recycling, and minimal environmental impact.
