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Viewing report
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North American Battery Charger Markets
Frost & Sullivan, Oct 2005
Increased Battery Drainage Spurs Battery Charger Revenues
Telecommunication devices such as organizer-enabled cellular phones or global positioning systems (GPS) are considered high-drain applications. Additionally, laptops and other IT devices are also considered high-drain devices. The number of hours of use on these devices vary depending on the battery type. Typically, the more features (such as audio MP3 reproduction on cell phones) a device has, the higher the battery drain tends to be in less hours. Rechargeable batteries primarily power these types of devices. In this market, the need for longer lasting battery life is essential. As the market for high-drainage capabilities continues to grow, most ODMs have produced these devices with chargers integrated into the product or for streamlining the power. This is expected to ultimately increase the demand for battery chargers used within portable equipment.
In addition to portable electronic devices (IT devices, Telecom devices, and Consumer Electronic devices), the battery charger research also covers chargers for motive/industrial power and automotive use (light, medium and heavy duty vehicles).Mounting concern about carbon emissions from use of carbon fuel in vehicles continues to spur growth for automotive and industrial/motive power battery chargers. Air pollution involves the release of agents such as gases, finely divided solids or finely dispersed liquid aerosols at rates that exceed the capacity of the atmosphere to dissipate them. Air pollution in the form of carbon emission has over the years become a familiar story in North America and worldwide. The concern for carbon emission has resulted in numerous governmental incentives introduced to transform carbon fuel to electric fuel applications such as electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid EVs. With the technological advances for motive power industrial uses, EVs have continued to create an environment friendly alternative to fossil fuel powered vehicles. In response to a more environmentally safe alternative, the industrial industry has turned to motive power battery-operated heavy-duty equipment (such as forklifts) and consumers have increased demand for electric golf carts.
EVs are oftentimes referred to as zero-emission vehicles as they produce essentially no pollution from the tailpipe or through fuel evaporation. In the age of increasing air pollution from carbon emissions, the use of EVs could greatly reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and smog-forming pollutants in cities with dirty air. The introduction and adoption of EVs in North America can be seen notably in commercial markets such as forklifts and other material-handling vehicles. In addition, throughout 2004, electric golf carts/utility vehicles have generated a high level of demand not only for consumer use on golf courses, but as an alternative transportation device for specialty markets such as contained retirement communities and large apartment complexes.
As the growth of rechargeable batteries runs parallel to the demand for battery chargers, it is important to follow each market accordingly. The replacement rate in the battery charger market varies in different end-user application markets. While the replacement rate is rather low for the automotive and industrial markets, it is high for high-tech industries such as the telecommunications and IT markets. The low replacement rate for automotive battery chargers is explained by the potential for lack of innovation and consumer interest in this area. In addition, the charger itself is characterized as durable, usually lasting longer than the car itself. Conversely, the launch of new products combined with a healthy economy explains the high repurchase rate within high-tech industries.
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