Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 1 Distribution Analysis of Global Electric Vehicle Related Patents/Patent Applications

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 2 Analysis of Annual Applications for Electric Vehicles in Major Countries/Regions

Electric vehicles have a global patent portfolio of 200000, involving more than 60 countries and regions such as Japan (JP), China (CN), the United States (US), South Korea (KR), Europe (EP), international patent applications (WO), Germany (DE), etc., mainly concentrated in Japan, China, the United States, South Korea, and Europe (referring to Europe as patents applied through the European Patent Office, excluding patents applied in various European countries). Overall, the geographical distribution of electric vehicle patents is consistent with the current major market distribution and technology aggregation regions of electric vehicles. In recent years, the number of patent layouts in various countries has significantly increased. Japan and the United States have developed their technology earlier compared to other countries, while China had a relatively small number of patents in the early stages. Since 2010, the total number of patents has exploded, exceeding 50000. It can be seen that China was at a backward level in technological accumulation in the early stage. With the opening of the Chinese electric vehicle market, both domestic and foreign applicants have laid out patents in China, resulting in significant patent growth in China.

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 3 Global Patent Applicant Ranking for Electric Vehicles

Among the top 20 global patent applicants for electric vehicles, Japanese companies are the majority, and most of the top patent applicants are downstream vehicle companies, with a minority being upstream and midstream module companies. TOYOTA has the highest number of patent applications, far exceeding other companies. The number of Chinese enterprises is relatively small, and there is a significant gap between Chinese enterprises and leading global companies in the industry. In terms of electric vehicle patent research and development and layout, Chinese enterprises need to continue to strengthen.

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 4 Distribution of Types of Chinese Patents

(Domestic applicants include joint ventures established in China, etc.)

China is about to surpass Europe to become the largest market country for electric vehicles. Therefore, domestic and foreign enterprises, research institutions, etc. have all realized the importance of applying for patents in China. In recent years, despite the decline in global patent numbers, the number of patent applications in China has continued to grow, and China has become the main region for patent layout of domestic and foreign applicants. In the Chinese patent/patent applications related to electric vehicles, foreign applicants have applied for nearly 20000 patents, most of which are invention patents, while Chinese applicants have applied for nearly 40000 patents and nearly 20000 utility model patents. Chinese enterprises can consider the development prospects of electric vehicle technology and reasonably layout patent types when patent layout.

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 5: Ranking of Chinese Patent Applicants

In the patent applications filed in China, the top 20 applicants are mainly Chinese and Japanese companies, with TOYOTA ranking first and having a much larger number than other companies. In addition to Chinese companies, South Korean and American companies have also listed China as an important patent deployment country, which greatly increases the threat to Chinese companies. The patent risks in the Chinese region have increased, and patent risk investigation and avoidance are particularly important for Chinese companies.

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Table 1: Technological Development of Major Global Electric Vehicle Patent Application Countries (China)

From the perspective of technology distribution, patents from China, Japan, and the United States are mostly distributed in power batteries and BMS. There are still many patent layouts in sensing technology, battery materials and other technologies in China. In Japan, there are still many patent layouts for driving force control and power conversion control technology, while in the United States, there are also many layouts for braking control technology and vehicle communication control technology. When doing technical development, there are many reference foundations, and at the same time, it is necessary to do a good job in risk control. For example, electric vehicle power batteries and battery management technology can draw on patents from companies such as TOYOTA, PANASONIC, NISSAN, HITACHI, BOSCH, MITSUBISHI, LG, SAMSUNG, etc., while motor and motor control technology can draw on patents from companies such as TOYOTA, NISSAN, HONDA, GM, BOSCH, NTN, etc.

Data source: “Zhongshan Electric Vehicle Patent Navigation Research Report”, analyzed and organized by Zhongshan Yunchuang

Figure 6: Ranking of Patent Applicants in Chinese Universities and Research Institutes

Many Chinese universities and research institutes are involved in the research and development of electric vehicles. Each university and research institute has its own focus on technology layout. Overall, there are many patents in mechanical design and battery (especially battery materials) nodes. Tsinghua University has many patents in chassis, electrical systems, battery materials, and sensing technology; Jilin University has many patents in chassis, regenerative braking and other technologies; Tongji University mainly focuses on chassis, electrical systems, and regenerative braking; Southeast University has a prominent number of patents in the field of electric motors; Beijing Institute of Technology has applied for numerous patents on battery materials. In the process of enterprise research and development, the technological distribution characteristics of various universities and research institutes can be considered to select suitable partners for collaborative research and development or industrialization.