The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by performance enhancement, increased range, and efficiency optimization, and growing importance of technologies such as transmission control algorithms, smart transmission control systems, and electric actuators. In the last three years alone, there have been over 720,000 patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Electric vehicles in automotive: two-speed EV transmission. 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.
Two-speed EV transmission is a key innovation area in electric vehicles
A two-speed electric vehicle (EV) transmission is a type of transmission system designed specifically for electric vehicles. It consists of two gear stages that can be selectively switched to provide different gear ratios. This allows for more efficient power delivery and improved performance in different driving conditions, such as high-speed cruising and low-speed acceleration. The transmission is typically integrated with an electric motor and may include mechanisms such as clutches, gears, and freewheels to control the power flow.
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 120 companies, spanning technology vendors, established automotive companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of two-speed EV transmission.
Key players in two-speed EV transmission – 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 two-speed EV transmission
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Hyundai Motor is one of the leading patent filers in two-speed EV transmission. Hyundai Motor's two-speed transmissions contribute to improved acceleration and top-speed capabilities. Different gear ratios enable the vehicle to perform optimally at both low and high speeds. Hyundai Motor’s two-speed transmissions allow for better adaptation to different driving conditions, such as city driving, highway cruising, and off-road scenarios. This adaptability enhances the versatility of electric vehicles. Some other key patent filers in this space are Mercedes-Benz, Centro Ricerche Fiat, and Aisin.
In terms of application diversity, Pacific Rim Engineered Products leads the pack, while Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and AB Volvo stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, McLaren Group held the top position, followed by Pacific Rim Engineered Products, Mazda Motor, and Jing-Jin Electric Technologies.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the automotive industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Electric Vehicles (EV).
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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.
