GM Ultium battery platform Image source: GM

  Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, CES 2021 was not hosted at its traditional venue at Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. and was instead held as an online exhibition from January 11 to January 14, 2021. CES 2021, described as the largest digital technology industry event, featured approximately 2,000 exhibiting companies, including almost 700 startups from 37 countries, and over 100 hours of programming.

  Despite the change in platforms, automotive exhibitors at CES continued to emphasize vehicle electrification and sustainable transportation. General Motors CEO Mary Barra presented CES 2021’s opening keynote, highlighting its strategic shift towards electrification and its “exhibit zero”, showcasing technologies and vehicles for transitioning to a net zero carbon future. Audi highlighted a high-performance e-tron concept, while BMW previewed technologies for its iX electric crossover. IM Motors, an electric joint venture intelligent vehicle brand created by SAIC Motor, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba, launched at CES 2021 and showed its upcoming models.

  Sono Motors and Hyperion Motors were two startup companies which showed future vehicles with innovative technologies. Hyperion Motors displayed its XP-1 hypercar powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Sono Motors' Sion electric car features solar cells integrated throughout the body of the vehicle to recharge additional power. Automotive suppliers including Panasonic, Schaeffler, Bosch and Gentherm also highlighted technologies relevant for electric vehicles including EV batteries, electric axles and climate control systems.

  This report is the first in a series of reports focusing on the automotive content shown at CES 2021. This report highlights electric vehicles and electrification technologies, primarily from OEMs including GM, FCA, Audi, and BMW, as well as suppliers including Panasonic, Bosch, Schaeffler and Gentherm.

Related reports:
CES 2021 Round-up: Industry Leaders Still Stood Out at Digital CES (Jan. 2021)
Emerging U.S. EV Makers on the Move: Many announce plans to launch in 2021 (Jan. 2021)
Electric Powertrain Market Forecast in Major Countries (Oct. 2020)
Beijing Motor Show 2020 - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (Oct. 2020)
MarkLines Online Exhibition 2020: Electrification-Related Technology (Sep. 2020)
CES 2020: Electrified vehicles and technologies (Feb. 2020)