MOBI, the mobility web3 consortium, has completed the first phase of the minimum viable product (MVP) for its global battery passport. This involved nine members including DENSO, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan exchanging battery identity and data using open standards.
Stepping back, if batteries are to achieve the hoped for environmental impact, how they’re manufactured and recycled is a critical part of the process. Hence the need to keep track of battery lifecycles as mandated in the US and Europe. Digital credentials can include the battery’s composition, status and history.
What MOBI is trying to sidestep is the need for costly one off integrations and to achieve cross industry interoperability.
Stage 1 implemented the Integrated Trust Network (ITN) identity services, which enables companies to exchange battery identity and data on a peer-to-peer basis. Hence, the ITN is a federated registry built and operated by the members using W3C decentralized identifiers (DID). It’s a self sovereign identity (SSI) offering that supports multiple blockchains. The SSI aspect means the data is stored with the battery rather than in a centralized database.
“Today’s global battery value chain is complex and it’s difficult to simultaneously ensure efficiency, scalability, safety, circularity, and regulatory compliance. To balance these priorities, we need to enhance battery lifecycle management through the creation of a shared ecosystem with SSI framework for secure coordination and selective disclosure of sensitive data,” said MOBI CEO and Co-founder, Tram Vo.
Stage 2 will involve trialing Citopia, MOBI’s web3 marketplace for services. This will support applications such as enhanced battery and carbon credits management and vehicle-to-grid communications and payment. It will also support other mobility solutions, such as data-driven pricing for used electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, MOBI has developed several standards. The most relevant is its battery passport standard released a year ago. Perhaps its most foundational standard is for vehicle identity. Other standards include tracking emissions for trips, supply chain blockchain standards and blockchain in vehicle financing.
