These include performance and durability requirements for industrial batteries, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and light means of transport (LMT) batteries; safety standards for stationary battery energy storage systems (SBESS); and information requirements on SOH and expected lifetime.
The new Regulation on batteries establish sustainability and safety requirements that batteries should comply with before being placed on the market. These rules are applicable to all batteries entering the EU market, independently of their origin.
Performance and Durability Requirements (Article 10) Article 10 of the regulation mandates that from 18 August 2024, rechargeable industrial batteries with a capacity exceeding 2 kWh, LMT batteries, and EV batteries must be accompanied by detailed technical documentation.
Scope The regulation applies to all batteries, including all: batteries for light means of transport (LMT) such as electric bikes, e-mopeds and e-scooters. Targets It sets out rules covering the entire life cycle of batteries.
The Commission proposes that existing restrictions on the use of hazardous substances in all battery types are maintained, in particular for mercury and cadmium. Furthermore, as of 1 July 2024, rechargeable industrial and electric vehicles batteries with internal storage placed on the Union market will have to have a carbon footprint declaration.
The new category comes alongside the existing portable, automotive and industrial battery classes. Global demand for batteries is set to increase 14 fold by 2030 and the EU could account for 17% of that demand. This is mainly driven by the rise of the digital economy, renewable energy and low carbon mobility.