Closing the Plant-to-Depot Data Gap: A Practical DBP Opportunity for OEMs

Executive Summary 

OEMs already generate extensive battery data across manufacturing, quality, testing and logistics. The opportunity is to keep the physical battery connected to the right information as it moves from the plant through logistics networks and into the receiving depot. 

This transition involves multiple organisations and specialised systems, each serving a valid operational purpose. Even a small number of identity or documentation mismatches, however, can create additional verification, temporary quarantine and repeated inspections. In an illustrative monthly flow of 10,000 battery packs, a 1% mismatch rate would produce 100 investigations and approximately 50 hours of additional work. 

The Digital Battery Passport (DBP) can help by providing a persistent battery identity and controlled connection to selected information held across existing OEM systems. It does not require OEMs to replace those systems or disclose complete Bills of Materials and other commercially sensitive information. Applied carefully, it can strengthen receiving, inventory control, warranty investigations and exception management while protecting intellectual property and trade secrets. 

A complex handover 

A battery may leave the manufacturing plant with detailed records covering its identity, configuration, quality checks and test status. Before reaching the depot, it can pass through staging areas, logistics providers, consolidation points and receiving inspections. 

Each participant may use a different system for a legitimate operational purpose. The opportunity is to ensure that the battery’s identity remains connected to the information required at the next handover. 

If a battery arrives with an identity or documentation mismatch, an OEM may need to: 

• Hold it temporarily for verification; 
• Retrieve information from several systems; 
• Repeat part of an inspection; or 
• Confirm whether an exception occurred during production or transport. 

These controls protect safety and quality, but better-connected information could make them faster and more targeted. 

For example, in an illustrative monthly flow of 10,000 battery packs: 

• A 1% information-mismatch rate would create 100 investigations; 
• At 30 minutes per investigation, this would require 50 working hours; and 
• Reducing mismatches to 0.25% would avoid 75 investigations each month. 

The precise financial benefit will vary, but the operational opportunity is clear: fewer unresolved handovers mean less manual work and more available inventory. 

Where the Digital Battery Passport (DBP) can help 

From 18 February 2027, EV batteries, light means of transport batteries and industrial batteries above 2 kWh must have an electronic battery passport linked to a unique identifier. Access to its information will depend on the user and applicable access rights.  (EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542) 

The DBP is not intended to replace OEM manufacturing, warehouse, quality or transport systems. Its value lies in helping connect them around a consistent battery identity. 

At the plant-to-depot handover, this could help authorised teams confirm selected information such as: 

• Battery identity and configuration; 
• Relevant test or inspection status; 
• Shipment and receiving status; and 
• Recorded damage or handling exceptions. 

Detailed operational records can remain in their source systems. The DBP provides a connection through which the appropriate information can be located and verified. 

Traceability with commercial protection 

Better traceability does not require OEMs to disclose everything. Complete Bills of Materials (BOMs), supplier relationships, sourcing strategies and manufacturing configurations may contain intellectual property, confidential know-how and trade secrets. Access should therefore be based on what is legally required and operationally necessary. 

The objective is controlled visibility: the right information, for the right actor, at the right stage. 

From compliance to operational value 

A well-designed connection between OEM systems and the DBP could support: 

• Quicker receipt and release of battery inventory; 
• More precise quarantine and recall decisions; 
• Stronger evidence for warranty investigations; 
• Clearer accountability across handovers; and 
• Safer management of damaged or exceptional batteries. 

Through the BASE project, partners are exploring how Digital Battery Passport data can support decisions across the battery lifecycle. Seraph helps translate this work into practical operational questions: which information is needed, where handover risks occur, who needs access and where stronger traceability can create measurable value. 

For OEMs, the opportunity is not to rebuild systems that already work but rather it is about connecting existing information more effectively, and use the Digital Battery Passport to strengthen control across the battery journey. 

Ready to harness the DBP for operational advantage?

Do you need support, guidance and insights on automotive manufacturing excellence? Let’s talk  https://seraph.com/contact-us/

About Seraph  

Seraph is a global operations and strategy consulting firm, that leads value chain improvements, restructurings, and turnarounds. We unite the disparate roles in operationally intensive businesses to create efficient operations, bridging the divide from concept to production. High-level decision-makers in manufacturing and industrial organizations rely on us to solve complex issues and launch initiatives that ensure success and sustainable change.

Seraph is a member of the BASE Battery Passport for Transparency and Circularity consortium.

The BASE project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Research and Innovation Actions under grant agreement No 101157200 

Visit the BASE website here: https://base-digibattpass.eu/