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Fuelling IP: The “Charge” of the Century: How Battery Innovation Became the New Tech Race
April 2026
As the world is reminded of the 1960s “space race” with the launch of Artemis II for humanity’s historic transit around the moon, it feels fitting that the European Patent Office has now unveiled its new Technology Intelligence Platform and Technology Dashboard 2025. These tools reveal that the race to power our future is already well underway here on Earth — and it all centres on the humble battery.
A Surge of Innovation
The EPO’s Technology Dashboard 2025 (featuring the new Deep Tech Finder tool) joins a growing suite of AI‑led insight platforms designed to turn patent data into actionable intelligence. While filings at the EPO have surpassed 200,000 for the first time, the real story lies in the accelerating convergence of AI and clean technology.
The data is striking: battery‑related patent filings have surged by 340% since 2016. Within the broader field of “Electrical machinery, appliances and energy,” batteries were once a secondary focus. Today, they account for nearly half (45.1%) of all innovation in the sector, with battery innovation growing by 14.6%. This isn’t simply steady growth — it represents a transformational industrial shift.
Powering a Cleaner Tomorrow
Battery technology has come a long way since Alessandro Volta created the first battery in 1799 (fun fact: his design was inspired by electric eels and used brine‑soaked cloth). Modern advances in battery technology are driving global efforts toward carbon neutrality, with BloombergNEF projecting the energy storage market to grow by 30% annually through 2030.
When we imagine a greener future, renewable energy is often the first thing that comes to mind. But what happens when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing? Batteries bridge that gap — storing megawatt‑scale renewable energy for use when production can’t meet demand. Without innovation in battery technology, a sustainable energy future isn’t just difficult; it’s impossible.
Who Leads the Charge
The EPO’s new platform shows exactly who holds the blueprints to our energy future. South Korea leads the charge with 34.9% growth in battery‑related filings, propelled by industry giants LG, Samsung, and SK. Close behind are China and Japan, the latter having identified large‑scale energy storage as a strategic pillar in its journey toward net zero.
Europe, by contrast, is carving out a leadership position in EV charging infrastructure, with companies like Siemens and BMW driving innovation in that space.
Deep Tech Finder: A New Window into Innovation
One of the platform’s most compelling features is the Deep Tech Finder. This tool connects more than 10,000 startups and over 850 universities to their patent portfolios, funding history, and market potential — providing investors with a powerful scouting resource. But it isn’t only for investors. Users can also search for investors themselves and examine their portfolios, past investments, and areas of focus.
What’s next? Battery Circularity
The EPO has signalled that its next major focus is battery circularity. Later this month, it will publish a significant study on technology trends in battery reuse and recycling. As millions of EVs roll off global production lines, the “holy grail” of innovation may well lie in technologies that enable the recovery and reuse of critical materials — ensuring our greener future is also a sustainable one.
Just like the astronauts aboard Artemis II, we are navigating uncharted territory — and the EPO is clearly committed to helping inventors and investors push progress forward, one patent at a time.
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This article was prepared by Senior Patent Attorney Alexandra Tyson.
