Solaris Bus & Coach, a part of the Spanish CAF Group, has recently made a groundbreaking delivery to BVG, a public transport company in Berlin. The delivery includes a series-produced electric bus equipped with a revolutionary ‘battery passport’, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
The electric bus, known as Urbino 18, is powered by Solaris’ high energy batteries with a capacity of approximately 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 fulfilled by 2025. Notably, all vehicles in this order will come equipped with the innovative battery passport.
The concept of the battery passport aligns with the new regulation (EU) 2023/1542 of the European Parliament and Council, which mandates a digital battery passport for all electric vehicle batteries by 18 February 2027. This passport will contain crucial data on the battery’s chemical composition, raw material content, carbon footprint, and the use of renewable materials in production.
The primary objective of the battery passport is to promote transparency across the battery lifecycle, from raw material extraction to recycling. By providing essential information about the battery’s composition, origin of materials, and environmental impact, the passport ensures responsible sourcing and efficient recycling practices.
The passport also facilitates the tracking of critical raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, supporting ethical sourcing and sustainable practices. This initiative is particularly significant as electric vehicle batteries contain valuable and rare materials that need to be managed responsibly.
Solaris, known for its range of battery-equipped vehicles including electric buses, hydrogen vehicles, and trolleybuses, has delivered over 5,000 zero-emission vehicles to date. The company’s Battery HUB serves as a dedicated competence center for managing all aspects of battery operations, focusing on advancing sustainable practices and developing a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries.
In conclusion, Solaris’ delivery of an electric bus with a battery passport to BVG showcases the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible practices in the electric vehicle industry. The integration of the battery passport not only enhances transparency but also contributes to the overall goal of creating a more sustainable future for transportation.
