=== Competitor and Market Landscape ===
The left graph given below displays the assignee wise IP activity over years, according to the present data the very first patent pertaining to HEV battery charging system was filed by HYBRICON in 1978 but is not in the race anymore. Though NISSAN, AQUEOUS and TOYOTA seems to be ahead in acquiring max. number of patent to their credits, but not active since 2000. GM and HONDA have bagged single-single patent of same age in 2003.
The right graph given below displays the market (countries) eyed by various competitors. The hot market place for most competitors is Japan (17) followed by United States (11) and Germany (04). According to the present data, Nissan seems to be having strong presence in Japan market that rests with 5 patents protected, followed by Aqueous and Toyota.