IMS: Electric Vehicle Push Sparks Automotive Supply Chain
September 3, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The automotive supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) powertrains and systems is slowly maturing and will become more competitive, according to IMS Research.
IMS Research projects that over 13 million hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell vehicles will be produced in 2020, presenting an opportunity for systems and semiconductor suppliers.
Less than 600,000 hybrid vehicles were produced in 2008 and less than 25,000 plug-in hybrids are forecast to be produced in 2009, according to IMS Research.
Tier 1 automotive suppliers internationally are responding to the focus on EVs by governments and manufacturers. Continental, said IMS Research, supplies lithium ion batteries, traction motors and DC/DC converters and inverters, perhaps positioning itself as a provider of complete EV powertrains.
Other companies such as Valence Technologies, A123 Systems and LG Chem have agreements to supply lithium ion batteries while AC Propulsion and UQM Technologies supply traction motors, IMS Research pointed out.
"The supply chain will change greatly in the future," said Jon Cropley of IMS Research.
"Vehicle manufacturers have the option of sourcing electric vehicle powertrain systems from a single supplier or from a number of suppliers. They also have the option of developing their own systems or even acquiring companies that already make them. This is a market in an early stage of growth. We should expect big changes”.
Source: IMS Research.