The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by lightweight, long-lasting batteries and powerful solid-state batteries, and growing importance of technologies such as high energy density, flat voltage curves, and low self-discharge. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.7 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Batteries in automotive: vehicle battery exchange platforms.  Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over one million patents to analyze innovation intensity for the automotive industry, there are 300+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry. 

Vehicle battery exchange platforms is a key innovation area in batteries 

Battery swapping is a technique that enables swapping a discharged electric car battery with one that is already charged. It enables electric vehicles to exchange a discharged battery pack for a charged one instead of plugging to a charging station. Battery swapping is typically used in applications involving electric forklifts.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies.  According to GlobalData, there are 30+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of vehicle battery exchange platforms. 

Key players in vehicle battery exchange platforms – a disruptive innovation in the automotive industry  

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators. 

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.

Patent volumes related to vehicle battery exchange platforms

Company Total patents (2010 - 2022) Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies
Midea Group 8 Unlock Company Profile
Sany Group 9 Unlock Company Profile
China Electronics Technology Group 18 Unlock Company Profile
Robert Bosch Stiftung 19 Unlock Company Profile
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling 7 Unlock Company Profile
Zhejiang Geely 35 Unlock Company Profile
Hyundai Motor 11 Unlock Company Profile
State Grid Corporation of China 21 Unlock Company Profile
Renault 83 Unlock Company Profile
Hon Hai Precision Industry 10 Unlock Company Profile
Honda Motor 59 Unlock Company Profile
Crown Equipment 9 Unlock Company Profile
Porsche Automobil 31 Unlock Company Profile
Lifan Technology Group 12 Unlock Company Profile
Ocado Group 9 Unlock Company Profile
Oshkosh 9 Unlock Company Profile
Walmart 8 Unlock Company Profile
Continental 11 Unlock Company Profile
Ford Motor 14 Unlock Company Profile
Sogrepar 11 Unlock Company Profile
Contemporary Amperex Technology 49 Unlock Company Profile
Nio 212 Unlock Company Profile
Gogoro 55 Unlock Company Profile
Thunder Power Hong Kong 16 Unlock Company Profile
TIER Mobility 8 Unlock Company Profile
Neuron Mobility 18 Unlock Company Profile
Beijing Automotive Group 23 Unlock Company Profile
Bozhong Precision Technology 8 Unlock Company Profile
Weilai Automobile 14 Unlock Company Profile
Shanghai dianba new energy technology 137 Unlock Company Profile
Aulton New Energy Automotive Technology 139 Unlock Company Profile
Bozhon Precision Work Technology 29 Unlock Company Profile
Shanghai Nextev 7 Unlock Company Profile
Wenzhou Ruichu Technology 12 Unlock Company Profile
Tanktwo 21 Unlock Company Profile
Weilai 27 Unlock Company Profile
AutoStore 18 Unlock Company Profile

Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics

Nio is the top patent filer in vehicle battery exchange platforms. The company provides a portable internet-based power solution through its extensive network of battery charging and battery swap facilities. It offers a power service system with rechargeable, swappable, and upgradeable batteries, enhanced by Power Cloud, to give users access to power services that are suitable for all scenarios. Aulton New Energy Automotive Technology, Shanghai Dianba New Energy Technology, Renault, and Honda Motor are some of the other notable patent filers.

In terms of application diversity, Oshkosh held the top position, while Tanktwo and Neuron Mobility stood in second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Neuron Mobility leads the pack, followed by Thunder Power Hong Kong and Continental.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Automotive.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.