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Powertrain Technology Strategic Patent Map of 13 Major OEMs
Analysis of patent applications for BEV, HEV, PHEV, ICE and CN fuel technologies
2026/08/21
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Summary
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Overall Trend: The number of BEV-related patent applications remains at a high level
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BEV: BEV Battery and Drive Unit Mounting Structure Technology and Charging Control and Charging System Technology
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HEV: Hybrid Powertrain/Transmission Structure Technology
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PHEV: Energy Management and Power Generation Control Technology
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ICE: Internal Combustion Engine Hardware Technology, Exhaust Purification and Aftertreatment System Control Technology, Vehicle Driving Control and Powertrain Integrated Control Technology
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CN Fuels: Hydrogen Fuel Technology, Methanol Fuel Technology
Summary
This report was created by MarkLines based on patent information from the "Technical Information Distribution Service - AI Ninja” provided by Toyota Technical Development Corporation (TTDC), and covers current technology topics surrounding the automotive industry. TTDC operates an intellectual property (IP) business and a measurement and control business. The intellectual property business collects and analyzes information on global automobile development, provides consulting on research projects, and handles foreign patent applications and technical translations.
In the early 2020s, the automotive industry saw rapid progress in the electrification of powertrains, driven by environmental regulations and governmental support policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. There were signs of a move to accelerate the transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), as several automakers announced targets aimed at expanding their BEV lineups and increasing the share of BEVs in their total sales. Subsequently, in addition to the challenges associated with widespread adoption—such as electrified vehicle (xEV) prices and charging infrastructure—differences in regional demand and energy conditions became apparent, leading to regional variations in the growth rate of the BEV market. At present, in light of these circumstances, the importance of flexible responses tailored to market conditions and applications is increasing, and the idea of utilizing a variety of powertrains in parallel, including not only BEVs but also hybrid vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), highly efficient internal combustion engines (ICE), and carbon-neutral fuel (CN fuel) vehicles, is once again attracting attention.
With this background, this report examines technology trends among 13 major OEMs: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM, Tesla, Volkswagen, Stellantis, BMW, BYD, Geely, SAIC (SAIC Motor Corporation), and Hyundai, based on powertrain-related patent applications filed since 2020. The scope of the survey covers technologies related to internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), as well as technologies related to carbon-neutral fuels (CN fuels), such as hydrogen engines and biofuels. By organizing and comparing these patent applications by technical field, it is possible to identify each company’s application trends and the direction of powertrain technology development.
Looking at the number of patent applications by powertrain type since 2020, applications related to BEVs are the most numerous, followed by ICE and HEV. After declining in 2021, the number of BEV-related patent applications began to increase in 2022 and reached its highest level in 2023. Although in 2024 the number of patent applications is slightly lower than the previous year, it remains at a high level. Conversely, ICE- and HEV-related applications had the largest share in 2020 and have been on a declining trend since then, but in 2024, they increased slightly from the previous year. CN fuel- and PHEV-related applications are fewer in number than those for BEV, ICE, and HEV.
Technical Information Distribution Service - AI Ninja URL: https://thinktank.toyota-td.jp/pub/list
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