CATL and BMW just tightened their alliance — and this time, it’s all about data, transparency, and carbon accountability.
On February 25 in Beijing, the two giants signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation on Battery Passport pilots and decarbonization across the EV battery supply chain. The signing took place during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China, alongside a senior German business delegation — a clear signal of strategic weight.
The Battery Passport Goes Global
At the core of the deal sits the Battery Passport.
CATL and BMW will launch pilot projects focused on trusted cross-border data exchange under this framework. The mission is ambitious yet precise: enable secure data sharing, refine carbon accounting methodologies, and develop advanced tools to calculate battery carbon footprints with greater accuracy.
In short, they want batteries to come with verified climate credentials — not just performance specs.
Built on Catena-X
To make it happen, the companies will leverage Catena-X, the standardized automotive data ecosystem designed to ensure secure and transparent information flow across the industry.
Through this platform, CATL and BMW aim to align technical standards and support science-based regulatory frameworks. At the same time, they seek to strengthen long-term industrial stability by creating consistent data structures across borders.
Importantly, these pilots also support regulatory alignment between China and the European Union. As global EV rules tighten, trusted data becomes a competitive advantage.
From Cells to Systems
CATL and BMW have worked together since 2012, collaborating on battery production, joint R&D, and sustainable supply chains. Now, the partnership expands beyond products.
This new agreement pushes into institutional coordination. It strengthens digital management capabilities. It improves compliance with EU market access rules. And it enhances the low-carbon competitiveness of both companies’ products.
A Bigger Signal
This isn’t just another corporate handshake. It’s a move toward measurable decarbonization, backed by real data and international cooperation.
As EV adoption accelerates, transparency becomes as critical as range or charging speed. CATL and BMW are betting that the next frontier of electric mobility isn’t only about better batteries — it’s about better battery information.
