Technology Generation of Lithium Batteries in Leading Countries

Abstract

Rechargeable lithium batteries are a key component of the global value chain of this chemical element. They have revolutionized different industries in the world (such as the automotive industry), with the intention of reducing the greenhouse effect and combating climate change. The aim of this research is to know the positioning of leading countries in the technology generation of lithium rechargeable batteries and the existing geo-strategic support between them. To achieve this purpose, we created and applied a new linear index to determine the technology regimes and the application of other known indexes (related to attractiveness, specialization and benchmarking) linked to technology generation in lithium batteries from 1993 to 2015. The main results show that China is oriented to technological regimes and that the United States, Germany, South Korea and Japan are focused on scientific regimes, and the consequences of these regimes are a direct technological competition between China and South Korea (this last country supported by Germany and Japan).