Does the development of fuel cell electric vehicles be reviving or recessional? Based on the patent analysis

Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) is a disruptive technology for traditional vehicles. High cost and inadequate infrastructure are the primary shortcomings of adopting FCEV, which prevents the commercialization of FCEV technology. It is an exciting issue whether a new wave of developing FCEV is present. The paper explores FCEV technology sources globally by combing multiple patent information. Our study finds the development of FCEV technology has been reviving slowly since 2014. The U.S., Japan, Germany, China, and South Korea are the core sources of FCEV technology, but FCEV technology sources are being reconstructed. Moreover, dominant incumbents, including large automobile manufacturers and component suppliers, are essential technology sources of FCEV development. Our research enriches the literature on the wave of developing FCEV technology and helps policy-makers or managers consider whether they should develop FCEV technology in the face of FCEV development reviving.