Reductions in Battery Cost Are Seen As A Requirement for the Electric Vehicle Batteries Industry to Grow To the Nearly $8 Billion Market By 2015

 These vehicles will rely almost exclusively on lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, while hybrid vehicles will slowly switch from nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) technology. However, Li-ion batteries today increase the cost of vehicles by 30 to 50 percent, which limits the attractiveness of the vehicles.

The initial market for electric vehicles will be largely dependent on government subsidies and incentives; significant reductions in battery cost are seen as a requirement for the industry to grow to the nearly $8 billion market that the authors forecast by 2015. Japan, which has been a leader in batteries for hybrid vehicles, is likely to continue to play a leading role, while China, Korea and Japan are also likely to all be significant suppliers of electric vehicle batteries. There are currently more than a half dozen battery chemistries with unique properties for power, energy density and life cycle performance that are being commercialized, but this report anticipates a consolidation in the market.

This report outlines the critical role that governments around the globe will play in establishing the electric vehicle market, and the challenges that manufacturers face in creating an industry that will be able to stand on its own as government influence diminishes. We examine the key market drivers for the electrification of vehicles and the potential for batteries to participate in vehicle to grid services, and the impact on declining battery production costs on vehicle sales and the resale of batteries after their useful life in vehicles.

Key questions addressed:
* What are the key drivers of growth in the electric vehicle battery market?
* What are the key limiting factors in growing the electric vehicle battery market?
* How many batteries will be installed in plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and hybrids?
* How quickly will batteries be used in vehicle to grid applications?
* What are the leading lithium ion battery chemistries and how do they differ?
* Will there be sufficient lithium to supply the expected growth in electric vehicle batteries?

Companies Mentioned:
* A123 Systems
* Altair Nanotechnologies
* SB LiMotive/Cobasys
* EnerDel
* Johnson Controls-Saft
* LG Chem/Compact Power
* Maxwell Technologies
* Panasonic EV Energy
* Valence Technology
* Battery Customers
* 3Prong Power
* Better Place
* BMW/Mini
* Chinese Manufacturers: BYD, Chery
* Chrysler
* Daimler
* Ford Motor Co
* General Motors
* Mitsubishi
* Nissan/Renault
* Pat’s Garage
* Plug-In Conversions Corporation
* PSA Peugeot/Citroen
* Toyota Motor Corporation
* Volkswagen

www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c65ad3/electric_vehicle_b