Introduction

The adoption of electric vehicles soars, with new electric car registrations totaling 1.4 million in 2023 in the US alone, an increase of more than 40% compared to 2022. EV battery manufacturers design and build specialized batteries for use in electric vehicles. These batteries directly impact consumer adoption, as they determine an EV’s performance, range, and charging time. 

EV batteries are compact, durable, and contain small lithium-ion cells that deliver high power output and impressive capacity. Moreover, cutting-edge developments like solid-state batteries are showing remarkable promise, further elevating the performance and reliability of these energy storage systems. 

In this blog post, we will explore how the top EV battery manufacturers are at the forefront of driving innovation to shape a more sustainable future.

Top 10 EV Battery Manufacturers: An Overview of Patents

EV battery manufacturers drive innovation and determine the speed of the transition to cleaner transportation. Their global presence influences the affordability and accessibility of EVs worldwide.

Asia’s present dominance in EV battery manufacturing is undeniable, with the top 10 manufacturers based there. Meanwhile, efforts by the U.S. and EU to develop their own supply chains seem to lag at present. 

Now, let us enlist the top-performing EV battery manufacturers, their patents and the developments powering a greener planet and a sustainable future:

1. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL)

CATL is a major player in the EV battery manufacturing market, with a share of 37% in 2023. 

The company boasts a total of 14,318 patents globally, with 7,704 already granted.

It has also secured the top rank globally in EV battery consumption volume for seven consecutive years.

• CATL holds a patent (CN101450815A) for a method of recycling waste lithium-ion batteries to create new nickel and cobalt-doped lithium manganate
• The company also outlines a method for recycling waste lithium-ion batteries to produce new battery materials. The process involves disassembly, separation, crushing, and screening of the waste battery. 
• This material undergoes leaching and extraction to obtain a pure nickel, cobalt, and manganese solution. The solution is blended and sintered with lithium carbonate to synthesize a lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide battery material.

2. Build Your Dreams (BYD)

BYD, a Chinese multinational conglomerate manufacturing company, has made innovations like Blade Battery and hybrid power tech. 

With 30+ industrial parks globally across 6 continents, it influences the electronics, automotive, renewable energy, and rail transit sectors. As a top rechargeable battery producer, BYD excels in NiMH, Lithium-ion, and NCM batteries.

• BYD has a total of 29,201 patents globally, out of which 19,594 have been granted.
• The patent filed in 2013 allows batteries to be charged under different power supply specifications without an expensive converter.
• This technology can be used to supply power between EVs or between an EV and an external power grid. 
• It also allows energy transfer between vehicles and the grid, paving the way for innovative applications like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems. 

3. LG Energy Solution

LG Energy Solution is a global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries catering to electric vehicles, mobility, and energy storage systems. With a rich history of 30 years in battery technology, it stands as a leader in the industry. 

Notably, the company holds the top position as the world’s leading battery-related patent holder. Its advanced lithium-ion batteries are sought after by numerous global automotive manufacturers for their cutting-edge technology and reliability. 

LG Energy Solution has a patent related to EV batteries that covers components, including coated separators, cathode material, and electrodes. After a preliminary review, LG Energy Solution discovered these manufacturers may have violated more than 30 of its patents. 

4. Panasonic

Panasonic, a well-known Japanese multinational electronics corporation, also produces high-quality batteries. The company has established a global manufacturing footprint, with several bases across 9 factories in 8 countries worldwide. 

Panasonic Automotive, a division of the company, supplies advanced lithium-ion batteries to leading global automotive manufacturers. Panasonic currently holds the fourth position in the market, with an 8% share.

• One of Panasonic’s patents is US8142932. It is dedicated to a spinel lithium manganese oxide cathode material coated with solid electrolytes. 
• The core is a spinel manganese-containing material substituted with fluorine or sulfur, offering high-output characteristics. The shell, in contact with an electrolyte, is a spinel transition metal-containing material, providing excellent thermal stability and cycle life. 
• This structure significantly improves the battery’s cycle life characteristics and thermal stability. 

5. SK On

SK On is a prominent global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries. The company has been developing technologies such as high-nickel NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) and NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) batteries. 

One of its notable achievements is the ’18 Minute-Fast Charging’ feature, which has garnered significant attention in the EV industry. 

With a market share of 6%, SK On has established itself as a great player in the global battery market.

• SK Innovation has a patent dedicated to a spinel lithium manganese oxide cathode material coated with solid electrolyte. 
• The patented material improves the battery’s performance and safety by enhancing ionic conductivity and thermal stability. 

6. Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI has a 5% market share in the EV battery market. It provides batteries for BMW’s i3, i8, and X5, as well as Audi’s PHEV models. 

• Samsung SDI has filed patents related to EV batteries, including a patent for a pouch-type secondary battery that prevents swelling. 
• Recently, Samsung SDI unveiled its novel all-solid-state battery (ASB), indicating a new era in energy storage technology.

7. China Aviation Lithium Battery (CALB)

CALB holds a 3% market share. It specializes in the development, manufacturing, and sales of lithium-ion batteries. 

• CALB has several patents, including a patent for a lithium-ion battery system that improves safety and lifespan. For instance, CALB was reported to be part of China’s government-driven initiative to commercialize all-solid-state batteries. 
• In another instance, CALB had withdrawn its three patent invalidation applications against CATL, a competitor. 

8. Farasis Energy

China-based company Farasis Energy provides high-energy-density lithium-ion battery cells and packs. It has a patent for a lithium-ion battery with a high-voltage cathode material that enhances energy density and cycle life. 

• One notable patent is US20160072162A1, titled “Process for recycling electrode materials from lithium-ion batteries.” 
• This patent outlines a method for recycling electrode material from lithium-ion batteries by recovering electrode materials from waste batteries. 
• The process involves suspending mixed anode and cathode material in a liquid that separates the two materials.

9. Envision AESC

Envision AESC has a 1% market share. It supplies batteries to Nissan and Renault and has a patent for a lithium-ion battery that improves safety and reliability.

• Envision AESC has a patent titled “SECONDARY BATTERY” (Publication number: 20230369637). This patent provides a secondary battery where the occurrence of adverse effects is reduced. 
• The battery includes a plurality of sheet-like positive electrodes and negative electrodes. The separator is continuously folded to be interposed between the positive and negative electrodes.

10. Sunwoda

Sunwoda, with a 1% market share, provides batteries for several NIO EV models. Sunwoda has a patent for a battery management system that enhances the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. 

• It has a patent, “Method and apparatus for collecting voltage differential parameters of individual battery cells in a battery pack.” 
• This patent relates to the technical field of battery management, specifically a method and apparatus for collecting voltage differential parameters. 
• The invention provides a reference voltage and compares it with the actual voltage of each individual battery cell. 

Final Note

The top EV battery manufacturers, such as CATL, BYD, LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, and SK On, exhibit remarkable innovation. CATL’s market leadership, BYD’s technology, LG Energy Solution’s protection initiatives, Panasonic’s global footprint, and SK On’s advancements show further growth. 

As the world accelerates towards electrification, collaboration, and innovation among these top manufacturers will be key drivers shaping the future.