Their quick rise as key suppliers to European, Asian and U.S. car makers is remarkable for an industry that typically insists on reducing risks by building key components such as engines in-house—or using lots of suppliers for less-critical parts.

In part, experts say few companies so far have shown they can meet the challenge of building advanced batteries with the quality, weight and cost expectations that auto makers demand. And the technology is moving so fast that few auto makers have tried to master the exotic chemistry required.

Of course, electric cars remain a niche market amid a lack of charging and other infrastructure, high development costs and low gas prices. But coming exhaust emissions regulations have encouraged Audi and others to bring all-electric vehicles to market. And they largely are picking the same three Asian companies to supply batteries.

This week, Boston-based emerging technology researcher Lux Research Inc. forecast the market for electric-vehicle batteries will grow to $30 billion by 2020, from $5 billion this year, and predicted the three suppliers will split most of that pie.

“If we look out in a five year time frame, we are looking at Panasonic, LG and Samsung SDI making up about 80% of the market” said Cosmin Laslau, a battery expert with Lux Research.