Patent comparison: Ford Fusion hybrid = 119, EV1 = 23
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery
When we saw the Ford announcement that the new Fusion Hybrid is "the most patented car in history," we wondered how it stacked up against a truly revolutionary car like the EV1. Turns out, whatever patents were used to get that initial electric car to market, they weren't as numerous.
A Ford PR rep told us that "The [Fusion] patent claim does not include concept or prototype cars. The 119 that Ford claims for the 2010 Fusion Hybrid are in 'new' patents and patent applications." By comparison, the EV1 "was the world's most technologically advanced vehicle platform, with 23 new patents in a variety of new technologies," according to GM. Not that these numbers really matter or anything, just thought it was an interesting comparison.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
usbseawolf2000 1:11PM (6/04/2009)
"During the development of the Prius, more than 1,000 applications for patents were filed worldwide. "
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/all-new-third-generation-toyota-82970.aspx?ncid=12067
Is Ford's 119 patents only for US?
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Bip-D-Bo 1:18PM (6/04/2009)
Oh, snap.
Bip-D-Bo 1:18PM (6/04/2009)
I just don't understand why the EV-1 was declared, "the world's most technologically advanced vehicle platform." It was a glorified golf cart. The internal combustion engines even in that time were much more complex, the result of almost 100 years of technological evolution. After billions, GM came to the realization that electric cars, although a good idea were still far too expensive and not very practical. Electric cars needed to be shelved to give time for the electronics technology to catch up. In the consumer goods realm, real innovation is making a good idea plausible for mass production at low cost. That kind of innovation is going on right now.
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paulwesterberg 2:20PM (6/04/2009)
EVs have been around for a hundred years.
Kinda hard to patent:
battery + controller + motor = propulsion
Why is more patents a good thing anyway?
more patents = more complexity = more things to break down
Mark 3:51PM (6/04/2009)
So following your advice we should just jump EVs until the oil runs out, at that rate we will be paying 50 dollars a gallon. I drive less than 30 miles per day, I live in a sunny area (northern Italy) and I have access to cheap solar energy. What is wrong with my powering my car and driving to work? Oh yeah, no oil, now we can have people being energy independent now can we!
The ICE is old technology that needs to go, it wastes 60% of its energy as heat, and fills the air with toxic burnt chemicals, it is time that it dies and dies for good.
I have nothing against people driving old classics but let me have my EV!
augustus 3:53PM (6/04/2009)
"more patents = more complexity = more things to break down"
WTF? More patents = more new ways to get fuel efficiency.
"battery + controller + motor"
Yes well we aren't powering our EVs with lead-acid batteries so there is something new to patent. And 100 years ago they didn't have computer controllers so there is something new to patent. And 100 years ago they didn't use rare earth magnets so there is something new to patent...
lne937s 5:30PM (6/04/2009)
more patents=more busy lawyers.
It has always amazed me how some companies file a patent for every mundane thing imaginable. Create a small variation= patent it. Bose does this all the time to pre-existing speaker designs. The total number of patents just means you have busy lawyers.
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Deacon 8:49PM (6/04/2009)
Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Audi file like 9621 patents for the new A6?
Just wondering...
Still cool thought that Ford is getting their R&D together.
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jpm100 12:18AM (6/05/2009)
Patents are almost effortless to get today compared to when the EV1 came out.
It used to be that the Patent Office would screen out applications it didn't feel were worthwhile or novel. But now they almost rubber stamp them and let the patent holders fight it out in court.
The consequence is that if I can the the Patent Office to approve my patent which is a really a ripoff of another patent with a trivial tweak, its years and a bunch of legal costs for the other guy to stop me and that's if the court decision goes his way.
This has lead people to patent multiple variations of an idea for protection.
The level of innovation may or may not have gone up. But the ease of receiving a patent and tendency to overuse and abuse the patent system have both gone up wildly.
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Luke 4:59AM (6/05/2009)
Here's an idea for April Fool's day. Take come of these headlines about Ford's success and replace "Ford" with "Toyota". Then watch the negative comments turn positive.
Headline: Someone at Ford claimed he farted. Bloggers say Toyota execs fart twice as much.
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Luke 5:00AM (6/05/2009)
Sorry.
come=some
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Yikes 10:03AM (6/05/2009)
I hope they patented that ugly uni-brow chrome strip across the front of the car so no other company uses that.
linda 10:28AM (7/31/2009)
I just read a new book called Two Cents Per Mile: Will Obama Make it Happen with the Stroke of a Pen? Simply put, this book shows the open conspiracy going on between the Department of Energy and corporations to prevent the development of 100% electric cars. I had no idea this was going on. Has proof of cars with NiMH batteries exceeding performance expectations, > 100,000 miles and over 200 miles per charge..interviews and pics of owners. Imagine where we would be today if this technology advancement had been supported.The book calls upon the reader to send letters to local, state and federal officials to get us back on track for all electric cars. There are links in the book to customize form letters. If you value America’s future, the environment and are concerned about what kind of world our kids will inherit, you have to check this book out. http://www.amazon.com/Two-Cents-per-Mile-President/dp/0615293913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245854577&sr=8-1
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