2022-09-01-WIPO-氢燃料电池在交通运输业的应用_102页_4mb

Summary of the Patent Landscape Report: Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Transportation

Core Content

This report provides an analysis of the current state of hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) technologies in the transportation sector, focusing on patenting activity, innovation trends, and future outlook. It outlines the growing importance of HFCs as a key component in achieving Net Zero emissions and the role of various stakeholders in this transformation.

Main Views and Key Information

Patent Trends

• Three Waves of Patent Filings: The first wave occurred in the mid-1980s, the second around 2005, and the third wave began around 2016.
• Total Patent Filings: The report identified 52,433 patent filings in the field of fuel cells with transportation applications, representing one-quarter of all fuel cell-related patents.
• Active Patents: 26,449 patent families and utility models were active at the time of the analysis (March 2022), and 61% of the dataset (32,018 patent families) included at least one granted patent.
• Concentration of Filings: The majority of patent filings (96%) were from five jurisdictions: China, Japan, the U.S., Republic of Korea, and Germany. These countries also represent the largest inventors.
• Top Patent Applicants: The top 30 players in HFC transport accounted for 40% of the dataset (21,152 of 52,433 patent families), indicating strong market involvement.

Technology Readiness and Applications

• Technology Maturity: HFCs are a well-established technology with a high degree of maturity, particularly polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which dominate the patent dataset.
• Transportation Applications:
  • Road Vehicles: The largest category of HFC applications, including cars, trucks, and buses.
  • Aviation: Airbus and Raytheon are leading in HFC development for aircraft, with a growing interest in hydrogen as a zero-carbon energy vector.
  • Shipping: Companies like Daewoo are exploring HFCs for special vehicles, such as harbor equipment, with a slow growth in patent filings.
  • Rail: Hydrogen trains are being developed in Germany, Japan, and the U.K. as a viable alternative to diesel hybrids.
  • Special Vehicles: These include construction vehicles, airport tugs, and other niche applications, where HFCs have already found limited commercial use.

Market and Policy Dynamics

• Global Decarbonization Efforts: Over 30 countries have adopted hydrogen strategies, including the European Union, the Republic of Korea, the U.S., Japan, and China.
• China's Leadership: China is the top origin of HFC-related patent filings and is leading in the development of fuel cell buses and commercial vehicles. It has a strong policy framework supporting the industry.
• U.S. and Japan Focus: The U.S. and Japan are prioritizing passenger cars and have launched initiatives to support the development of HFC vehicles.
• Republic of Korea's Roadmap: The country aims to have 3 million fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) by 2040, including 2.9 million domestic vehicles, 30,000 trucks, and 40,000 buses.

Innovation and Collaboration

• Corporate Involvement: Major automakers like Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, GM, Daimler, and Honda are heavily involved in HFC development across various transportation segments.
• University and Research Institutions: The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the only university in the top 30 patent applicants. However, universities in the U.S., Republic of Korea, Japan, and Europe are increasingly active in patenting and collaboration with industry partners.

Future Outlook

• TRL and Commercial Viability: HFCs are at a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL), suggesting they are close to commercial deployment. However, challenges remain in scaling production, infrastructure development, and cost reduction.
• Infrastructure Needs: The expansion of hydrogen infrastructure, including storage, transportation, and fueling systems, is critical for the widespread adoption of HFCs in transportation.
• Battery Competition: Solid-state batteries and other advanced technologies are expected to challenge HFCs in terms of energy density and range, but HFCs still offer advantages in heavy-duty applications due to their higher energy density.
• Policy Drivers: Strong policy support and corporate commitments are expected to drive further innovation and market growth in the HFC sector.

Conclusion

The report highlights the growing importance of hydrogen fuel cell technologies in the transportation sector as a viable solution for achieving Net Zero emissions. While the majority of patent activity is concentrated in a few key countries and companies, the involvement of new players and the increasing focus on automated production and recycling indicate a dynamic and evolving landscape. The future of HFCs in transport will depend on continued innovation, supportive policies, and the development of a robust hydrogen infrastructure.