Global Advanced Battery Pack Revenue for Traction and Propulsion Energy in Drones Expected to Reach $225 Million by 2026

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A new report from Navigant Research focuses on the drivers, barriers, and technological trends affecting the deployment of unmanned vehicles (UVs), providing global market forecasts for energy capacity and revenue, segmented by region, technology, and UV type, through 2026.

Intelligent UVs, also known as drones, can provide increased efficiency, higher resolution visuals inspections, and can function in environments that are physically unsuitable for human operators. Power requirements and battery suitability must be given serious consideration in the design of the UVs, and advanced batteries are expected to play a key role in the further proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

“The provision of technology options that are quicker, easier, safer, and less costly is considered high priority for stakeholders that utilize UVs in day-to-day operations,” says Ian McClenny, research analyst with Navigant Research. “Advanced battery chemistries like lithium ion (Li-ion) have seen recent price declines and, consequently, are increasingly being used in UVs.”

While the power requirements for commercial UVs can be moderate, according to the report, they are strictly dependent on the vehicle carriage weight, distance traveled, and sensor/data collection requirements. Traditionally, power options have been limited to lead-acid batteries and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) because of their mature supply chains and (in some cases) silver-zinc because of its robust architecture.

The report, Advanced Batteries for Unmanned Vehicles, focuses on the drivers, barriers, and technological trends affecting the deployment of UVs. The study provides an analysis of the market issues associated with UAVs for wind turbine inspection, UGVs for the materials handing sector, and UUVs for energy resource exploration. Global market forecasts for energy capacity and revenue, segmented by region, technology, and UV type, extend through 2026. The report also examines the key design issues and battery technologies and requirements related to UAVs, UGVs, and UUVs. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.