With various forecasts for adoption rate scenarios out there, the need for quantitative measure of this sector is essential. KGP maintains the definitive up-to-date global electric and hybrid database of all production/pre-production electric and hybrid vehicles which contains vital information used by those involved in the automotive industry.

We maintain the latest data on fields such as vehicle dimensional characteristics, segmentation, production data, fuel economy, performance, engine data, transmission data, energy storage media (such as chemical composition, cell type and energy data), power electronics, traction motor data, charging details and others. In addition to this database and our energy storage report, work is currently under way on the component supply chain for hybrid and electric vehicles which covers supplier activity, technology and OEMs.

The database is intended to provide a supply chain knowledge base for strategic decision makers to aid in the formulation of strategy for their respective businesses. If you take automotive power electronics for instance, KGP is now seeing a noticeable trend of traditional volume electronics manufacturers working in tandem with vehicle OEMs on electric drivetrain control systems such as inverter technology - much R&D activity currently focuses on how best to design electronics components such as IGBTs and MOSFETs with a smaller footprint and with increasing thermal and switching efficiency. What are the advantages and disadvantages over using traditional silicon over silicon carbide or Gallium Nitride for example or which components favour which choice? Power electronics is just one are covered in this study, as well as components such as traction motors, transmissions and HVAC systems.

With an estimated CAGR of some 6.5% between now and 2020 for automotive electronics, coupled with a higher ratio of electronic components in the average vehicle (more so hybrid and electric vehicles), VMs and their suppliers must be equipped to enable an effective transition.

Obviously, a great deal of research has to be carried out by KGP in order to ensure and widen the quality of data required to produce our material. Our research methods can range from straight forward desk research, using our existing knowledge base, deploying our experienced research team, through to conducting interviews with key organisations and using various other means of cross-referencing and checking data. We also attend relevant industry seminars and conferences as these are valuable opportunities to meet and talk with industry professionals and obtain from them, such information as technology insight, sector experience and market developments and trends.

For further information please email janewoodward@kgpauto.com