Organization: Japanese companies take the top three solid-state battery patents, and Toyota leads the way with 1,331 patents – yqqlm

On July 7, Nikkei worked with Tokyo-based research firm Patent Result to scrutinize solid-state battery patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization and another group. The study looked at applications from 10 countries and territories between 2000 and the end of March.

Research shows that Toyota is by far the main holder of solid-state battery patents. This shows the dominance of Japanese companies in the race to develop the next generation of electric vehicle power sources.

Solid-state batteries do away with the liquid electrolytes used in traditional lithium-ion batteries, the report said. TDK and other companies have brought tiny solid-state batteries to market, but solid-state batteries for electric vehicles are still in their infancy.

Solid-state batteries are expected to double driving distance and reduce charging time by a third. It is understood that the battery can also reduce the risk of fire.

According to the report, a major obstacle facing solid-state batteries is cost. According to some estimates, solid-state batteries are more than four times more expensive than typical lithium-ion batteries.

Nikkei has teamed up with Tokyo-based research firm Patent Result to scrutinize solid-state battery patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization and another organization. The study surveyed applications from ten countries and territories between 2000 and the end of March this year.

According to the report, Toyota ranked first with 1,331 known patents, while Panasonic Holdings ranked second with 445 patents. In addition, Idemitsu Kosan holds 272 patents. This means that Japanese companies swept the top three spots.

Fourth-ranked Samsung Electronics was the only non-Japanese company to make the top five. Overall, Japanese companies accounted for 6 of the top 10.