This article first appeared on Law360 on January 26, 2026.

Vehicle electrification has pushed battery systems from a background component to the center of the automotive supply chain, and with that shift comes heightened legal risk. Writing for Law360, Director Sam Madden and Vanessa Miller of Foley & Lardner explore how battery validation delays, evolving technical standards, and performance uncertainty are increasingly at the heart of contract disputes, regulatory scrutiny, and litigation. 

Drawing on recent high-profile disputes and real-world validation challenges, the article examines how engineering realities translate directly into legal exposure. It offers practical insight for in-house counsel, supply chain leaders, and engineers on structuring contracts, managing validation data, and aligning technical and legal teams to reduce risk before disputes arise.