One of the characteristics of the emerging EV landscape is that of major, established automotive companies whose experience is in the design and assembly of vehicles using internal combustion engines (ICE) looking to tap into the expertise of newer, specialist outfits with a specific focus on developing enhanced battery capabilities.

One recent example involves German car maker Daimler and Sila Nanotechnologies, a US company based in Alameda, California, that was formed in 2011. In April this year the car maker took a minority stake in the newcomer as part of a group of investors that put $170m into the battery specialist to support its continuing R&D work.