Title: Studying strategic choices of carmakers in the development of energy storage solutions: a patent analysis

Authors: Marina Flamand

Addresses: PSA Peugeot Citroën, 18 Rue des Fauvelles, 92250 La Garenne-Colombes, France; GREThA, University of Bordeaux, Avenue Léon Duguit, 33608 PESSAC, France

Abstract: The present study focuses on the strategic choices that automakers make when positioning themselves vis-à-vis new energy storage solutions. This entails a comparison of innovation efforts in this area. Towards that end, the study uses a classic indicator of inventive activities, to wit, patents. In order to minimise the well-known bias associated with analyses of this nature, an original method has been developed, one that consists of filtering patent data in such a way as to exclude those patents that are less relevant to the present object of study. Analysis of 13 automakers highlights their: 1) uneven involvement in developing these technologies; 2) distinct positioning on technological value chain; 3) variable interest in different energy storage technologies (fuel cell, lithium, NiMh), with the most widespread ones not necessarily being those that attract the most involvement.

Keywords: energy storage solutions; automotive manufacturing; automobile industry; strategic choices; R&D efforts; research and development; patent anaylsis; technological value chain; patents; innovation; hybrid electric vehicles; hydrogen vehicles; lithium-ion batteries; hybrid vehicles; fuel cells; NiMh batteries; nickel metal hydride batteries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2016.079229

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2016 Vol.16 No.2, pp.169 - 192

Received: 04 Feb 2016
Accepted: 29 Feb 2016
Published online: 23 Sep 2016 *

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