Ford announced last week that it is opening its portfolio of electric vehicle (EV) patents to the competitors, following similar moves by Tesla and Toyota. However, unlike Tesla and Toyota, which offered their patents for free of cost, Ford will charge a license fee for its patents.
“Innovation is our goal,” said Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs. “The way to provide the best technology is through constant development and progress. By sharing our research with other companies, we will accelerate the growth of electrified vehicle technology and deliver even better products to customers.”
Ford’s competitors now have access to over 640 patents owned by Ford relating to electric vehicles (EVs), ranging from battery charging to sensors.
PatentYogi prepared an infographic for these 640 patents disclosing the key technology areas covered by the portfolio, the top inventors, the patents with broadest claims, and the high impact patents.
Examples of the kinds of patents that are part of the portfolio.
[slideshare id=48845982&doc=detailedlistoffordfgtlevtechnologypatentsavailableforlicense-05282015-150601145808-lva1-app6891]