Press release: New EV Industry Insider Report dissects technological challenges and provides insight for investment decisions.

Advanced Automotive Batteries' latest insider report states that the world EV market will grow from negligible levels in 2010 to about 250k units in 2015, and to about 500k units (less than 1 percent) of the anticipated 85 million annual new vehicle market by 2020. Meanwhile, the world PHEV market will increase from almost zero in 2010 to about 140k units in 2015 and 750k by 2020, with the associated Li Ion automotive battery (EV, PHEV, and HEV) business expanding from $320 million in 2010, to $4 billion in 2015, and to $11 billion in 2020.

The author, Dr. Menahem Anderman, points out that the EV market cannot be projected using a normal business model because it is essentially being driven by governments, not customers. Understanding the unique dynamics, risks, and opportunities of this market as well as the complex technological challenges is essential for guiding corporate investment decisions.

The "2011 EV & PHEV Opportunity Report" scrutinizes the technological challenges that face the Li Ion battery—which is key to the success of EVs—and highlights how the interdependency of these challenges makes it difficult to achieve improved performance of battery designs at a viable cost that can also assure acceptable safety, reliability, and durability.

Based on on-site interviews with senior battery technologists and business-development executives at over 20 major automakers and 18 current and prospective battery suppliers on three continents, the Report states that, starting in 2011-2013, most established automakers will cautiously field a few thousand vehicles annually—much lower numbers than those projected by heavy media coverage of the industry. Special attention is paid to the technology status and manufacturing position of the battery producers best positioned to succeed in the market, including half a dozen of the Japanese and Korean battery manufactures and a few from China and the US.

Dr. Menahem Anderman frequently consults with major automakers, battery makers, and stakeholders. He is founder and chairman of the bi-annual Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) whose next meeting will take place June 6-10 in Mainz Germany.