Competition increasing globally for advanced battery technology development: Asia taking a prominent lead over Europe and the USA
In a recent study published in Energy & Environmental Science, researchers, including Professor Stephan von Delft from the University of Münster, have revealed an increasing polarization between Asia and Western nations in the field of next-generation battery technologies for electric vehicles.
The analysis of patent quantities and qualities can provide insights into innovation performance, and the study suggests that Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea) is currently leading in the development of future battery technologies. Europe and the United States, on the other hand, are primarily advancing developments along the established lithium-ion battery value chain.
This technological gap could further widen, potentially threatening the technological autonomy and long-term competitiveness of Europe and the United States in both future high-energy batteries and lower-cost alternatives. The reason for this disparity lies in Asia's dominance in both intellectual property and manufacturing worldwide, as well as Europe and the United States' dependence on Asian supply chains, less experience in large-scale production, and lower investments in research and innovation compared to Asian companies, particularly China.
Innovation strategies often reflect political priorities and funding programs, and the study suggests that assessing geostrategic competition in future battery technologies can be done by examining the positioning of individual countries. The study's first author, doctoral student André Hemmelder, emphasizes the need for Europe and the United States to increase investments in future battery value chains.
Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea are focusing on high-energy batteries of the future, while China is addressing both high-performance batteries with high energy density and low-cost batteries. The latest news indicates a global race for future battery technologies, but the source for this news is not specified in the provided paragraph.
The study's findings highlight the urgency for Europe and the United States to adapt their innovation strategies to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving field of battery technologies. The race for future battery technologies is on, and it seems Asia has taken an early lead.
