How to Calculate Battery Passport Traceability Score
Battery passport regulations in Europe and other regions require manufacturers to prove supply chain traceability. That proof often takes the form of a composite score that blends supplier coverage, serialization depth, audit performance, and penalties for outstanding corrective actions. This walkthrough explains how to compute such a score so product releases and disclosures remain compliant. Pair it with carbon accounting workflows from the battery passport carbon intensity guide and asset valuation analytics in the EV second-life residual value article to build an end-to-end compliance programme.
The scorecard described here uses transparent weights (40% supplier coverage, 35% serialization, 25% audit performance) with an adjustable penalty. Modify the constants to match your regulatory guidance or customer requirements while retaining a single, defensible calculation. The embedded calculator outputs narrative summaries suitable for board updates and regulatory submissions.
Traceability score architecture
A traceability score condenses multiple readiness indicators into a number between 0 and 100. Supplier coverage measures how many upstream partners provide verified provenance and ESG data. Serialization coverage captures the share of cells or modules with unique identifiers linked to records. Audit score reflects third-party assessments of traceability controls. Penalties deduct points for unresolved non-conformances.
Keeping the score transparent helps teams diagnose shortfalls. Rather than a black-box maturity label, stakeholders can see whether gaps stem from supplier onboarding, serialization technology, or audit findings.
Input variables and units
Collect the following percentages:
- S – Supplier coverage (% of suppliers with verified traceability documentation).
- Z – Serialization coverage (% of cells/modules with unique IDs linked to records).
- A – Audit score (%) from the latest third-party assessment.
- P – Penalty (%) for outstanding corrective actions or data gaps (optional).
Percentages should be derived from traceability platforms, ERP exports, or audit reports. Maintain evidence for each value. Penalties may be zero when no corrective actions are open.
Score calculation
The weighted score uses normalised percentages:
Base = 0.40 × (S ÷ 100) + 0.35 × (Z ÷ 100) + 0.25 × (A ÷ 100)
Score = Base × 100 × (1 − P ÷ 100)
Classify scores ≥85 as “compliant”, 70–84 as “monitor”, and <70 as “critical” for reporting. Adjust thresholds to match regulatory expectations.
Step-by-step workflow
Step 1: Establish data inventory
Inventory all tier-one and critical tier-two suppliers. For each, record whether provenance documents, ESG attestations, and chain-of-custody data are available. This dataset underpins the supplier coverage percentage.
Step 2: Map serialization coverage
Audit production lines to confirm serialization is applied and linked to digital records. Include pack, module, and cell levels as required by regulation. Normalise by total production volume to compute Z.
Step 3: Collect audit findings
Gather the latest third-party audit report and extract the traceability score or pass rate. Convert narrative findings into a percentage aligned with the scoring rubric.
Step 4: Determine penalties
Define penalty rules—for example, 5% deduction per major non-conformance or per missing supplier dataset. Obtain approval from compliance leadership so penalties are consistent across product lines.
Step 5: Calculate score and communicate
Apply the formula to produce the traceability score. Share the results with product, compliance, and sales teams. Highlight drivers: suppliers lacking data, serialization gaps, or audit actions.
Validation and remediation planning
Validate the score by sampling suppliers and verifying documentation. Cross-check serialization data with manufacturing execution systems. Reconcile audit scoring with auditor feedback to ensure weighting is accurate.
Use the score to prioritise remediation. For example, if serialization coverage lags, invest in line-level marking and data capture. Track improvements quarterly and update the score, demonstrating progress to regulators and customers.
Limitations and future enhancements
The weighted score abstracts complex supply chains. Detailed product-level passports may require component-specific scores or blockchain-based traceability. Incorporate geographic risk weightings if regulators emphasise critical mineral sourcing.
Future enhancements include real-time scoring within traceability platforms, integrating carbon intensity metrics, and linking scores to pricing models or warranty decisions.
Embed: Battery passport traceability score calculator
Enter supplier coverage, serialization coverage, audit score, and optional penalty percentage. The calculator returns the adjusted traceability score with compliance classification.