Battery production in China, Patents, ABB & Solar Impulse 2.

Battery market on the rise: According to market research firm CCM, the market for Li-ion batteries produced in China will grow 400 percent by 2017, due to the growing EV market there. Moreover, the firm suggests that because most domestic Chinese battery manufacturers are lagging behind their competitors in Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. in terms of their ability to manufacture high performing EV batteries, international players could gain market share.
greencarcongress.com

Patent filing numbers on the rise: According to a new report, carmakers have increased research efforts and patent filing in the field of propulsion technology for the past five years. The reason are the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations and manufacturers trying to avoid penalties if their portfolios are not green enough.
forbes.com, reuters.com

ABB on board: The solar-powered plane ‘Solar Impulse 2’ will start its flight around the world in late February or early March. Engineers from ABB India will accompany the Solar Impulse crew and improve control systems for ground operations, enhance the charging electronics for the plane’s battery systems and resolve obstacles that emerge along the route.
business-standard.com