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3 April 2019Patents

Toyota makes 24,000 hybrid patent licences royalty-free

Toyota has announced plans to grant royalty-free licences on nearly 24,000 patents covering hybrid vehicle technology, in a bid to promote the widespread use of hybrid vehicles.

Today, April 3, the Japan-based carmaker said it will offer access to the 23,740 patents, which cover hybrid power systems such as electric motors, power control units, and system controls, until 2030.

Shigeki Terashi, executive vice president of Toyota, said: “Based on the high volume of inquiries we receive about our vehicle electrification systems from companies that recognise a need to popularise hybrid and other electrified vehicle technologies, we believe that now is the time for cooperation.”

Since 2015, Toyota has offered royalty-free licences on 5,680 patents related to its fuel cell electric vehicles.

“Now, Toyota is adding approximately 2,590 patents related to electric motors, 2,020 patents related to PCUs, 7,550 patents related to system controls, 1,320 engine transaxle patents, 2,200 charger patents, and 2,380 fuel cell patents (bringing the total of fuel cell related patents to 8,060),” said a  release from the company.

The Prius, the company’s flagship hybrid range, was released back in 1997. In January 2017, worldwide sales of Toyota’s 33 hybrid models surpassed 10 million units.

Toyota said that by offering royalty-free patents, and fee-based technical support, it sees an opportunity to encourage the development and market introduction of electrified vehicles around the world.

Terashi added: “If the number of electrified vehicles accelerates significantly in the next ten years, they will become standard, and we hope to play a role in supporting that process.”

By 2031, hybrid and electric vehicles will make up 50% of all car sales, according to automotive forecasting company LMC Automotive.

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