The obvious winner in the electric drive revolution are battery makers. With mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships happening left and right, the battery industry is set for a boon unlike anything it has ever witnessed.
The gist is that battery makers are the ones who will benefit the most from switching to the electric drive, via pure electric vehicles, EV or through the hybrid, HEV and plug-in hybrids, PHEVs. Countless car makers have partnered with battery makers, creating a new dynamic in the auto industry.
A Fruitful Market. According to SolidState: “Batteries represent about $36 billion in revenues today and are expected to grow to more than $50 billion over the next five or so years, with rechargeable batteries leading the way.” That a substantial growth in a depressed economy. More specifically, hybrid vehicle battery represents 1.7% of the global rechargeable market and set to jump to 4.2% by 2013.
Ultracapacitors. Ultracapacitors are our favorite battery system we hope will revolutionize EVs soon. Its growth forecast may outpace other more traditional batteries. The reason is that it holds the potential of being very light and capable of discharging and recharging extremely fast, the ideal solution for EVs and HEVs.
Static Energy Storage. Static energy storage solution is also giving a serious boost to the industry. Anticipated growth with the push for clean, renewable energy is pushing breakthroughs and lab testing.
What does this mean for EVs? Obviously the EV revolution goes through the inevitable battery which has a wide variety of use, from static to vehicle storage. Performance has increased and while prices remain very high, it follows the Apple computer business model that you pay the same price for newer models with added performance. At this moment, the ratio for lithium batteries is of five times more expensive than traditional heavier lead acid based batteries. This ratio needs to come down to three or twice if it wants to woe consumers away from the internal combustion engines, ICE technology. As mass manufacturing happens, we can expect prices to come down.