Audi ranks first in terms of patents for electric drives

Technical Development, internally referred to at Audi as 'TE', is the place where the brand's heart beats. It is the place where 'Vorsprung durch Technik' becomes a reality.

The new 'Audi TechFocus' online newsletter provides detailed insights behind the scenes of TE. The topic of the premiere issue - patents. In other words, this is how 'Vorsprung durch Technik' is documented.

In 1970, exactly 50 years ago, the 'Technical Development' department moved into the first new facilities on the northern periphery of Ingolstadt. The complex has continuously been expanded ever since.

By now, nearly 10,000 technicians and engineers are engaged in research and development just at the Ingolstadt location. Together with the nearly 2,000 TE employees in Neckarsulm and the developers in Gyor, Beijing and San Jose Chiapa they form the innovation laboratory of the Four Rings - and very successfully so.

The number of patent applications filed is one of the benchmarks for the brand's strong innovative prowess. In 2019, there were more than 1,200 patent applications filed, in other words, more than three on each day of the year. The subject matter and focus of patents change in line with shifts in social awareness. In earlier years, the main emphasis was put on ideas and inventions from the areas of chassis, conventional engine technology and transmission.

At the moment, digitalisation and electric mobility are at the top of the list. In total, the company currently holds some 13,000 patent families worldwide, which equates to about 23,000 individual patents and patent applications.

Audi AG is the leader in patent applications filed for electric drives in Germany. Many competitors purchase electric drive technology, however, Audi develops it in-house in many areas. As the most innovative premium brand, Audi is the leader in patent applications filed for electric powertrains in Germany. 

According to an analysis of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the European Patent Office, in 2019, a total of 660 patents were filed with effectiveness just in Germany. These applications refer only to vehicles with electric powertrains. Compared to 2017, this corresponds to an increase of 42%. With 57 patent applications filed for the plug-in hybrids and the models of the all-electric Audi e-tron, Audi occupied the top spot. In 2020, the renowned Center of Automotive Management recognises Audi as the winner in the area of alternative drives with the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award.