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As battery technology increases, the opportunities for battery-powered equipment continue to grow, especially in the Lawn & Garden and recreational products segments. The factors of reduced weight, increased charging capacity and lower cost are making battery-powered equipment more attractive to consumers and commercial users in these segments.
Lawn & Garden. The capacity of lithium-ion battery technology to meet the horsepower needs of the homeowner and the commercial landscaper has grown significantly in the last couple of years. Battery-powered lawn and garden equipment can now match the power of traditional gas-powered lawn and garden equipment. Some brands now have available 56V which is more than double what was the standard power available. Batteries now charge quicker, last longer, and can hold a charge indefinitely.
Van Hool has announced its exit from the City Bus business and focus on Hydrogen fuel cell coaches which appears to have been a serious miscalculation. As the market transitions away from internal combustion engine buses toward battery electric buses, Van Hool has been left behind.
Van Hool recently lost a bid for 300 electric city buses to BYD which assembles their buses in Hungary at a lower cost than Van Hool could manufacture these in Belgium. It was reported that the BYD bid was approximately 20% less than the Van Hool bid. This along with other issues will result in Van Hool ending most if not all of their bus and coach operations in Belgium and transfer the bus and coach making activities to their assembly plant in Macedonia.
However, Van Hool will need a significant cash infusion in a short period of time to cover the cost of their existing debt and the coming redundancy payments in order to stave off insolvency.
After months of investigation, the European Commission says it has found evidence that China has been “unfairly” subsidizing the EVs it exports to Europe. Possible “remedies” on the table include retroactive tariffs on Chinese EVs.
PSR Analysis: This article was mentioned in previous issues of the Alternative Power Report and now that the EU has found its evidence, we can expect tariffs to be raised, especially as the European car market continues to flounder. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Leadat Power Systems Research
The technology involved in using H2 as an energy source can be costly for several reasons. Their use is considered to have zero-carbon operations but only when green H2 is used, meaning that it is produced using processes powered by renewable energy such as wind and solar. That said, the most common production method currently used involves burning natural gas, a fossil fuel.
Lithium-air batteries seemed destined for the dustbin of automotive history just a few years ago. But the US Department of Energy has tapped four different Li-air projects in a new round of funding aimed at developing new batteries powerful enough to move full-sized airplanes, locomotives, and seagoing vessels.
Like it did with passenger EV rebates in December, Germany has decided to pull the plug on subsidy programs for electric semi-trucks and city buses. What happens to the nation’s commercial EV market now?
When the German government established the funding program for climate-friendly commercial trucks in 2021, the subsidies were seen as a highly effective tool to drive up demand for electric vehicles in the medium- and heavy-duty truck markets.
Regulations on EVs and developments in hydrogen power cells and battery technology are highlighted in articles in the March issue of Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research. Read about Germany dropping subsidies for some electric trucks and buses and about the EU considering tariffs on Chinese EVs. PSR
CleanTechnica’s 2023 provisional report shows a 40% growth in demand for lithium-ion batteries in the automotive sector, reaching 712 GWh. CATL and BYD lead the market, with CATL holding a 34% share due to its successful partnerships and innovative battery technologies. BYD moved into second place with 16% share, up from 14% in 2022, replacing LG, which slid to third place with a 15% share. It had 17% in 2022. BYD grew 59% YoY.
CATL produced 243,000 units in 2023, up from 164,000 units in 2022. BYD produced 116,000 units in 2023, an increase from 73,000 in 2022.
LG lost share in 2023 due to the lack of new orders, GM’s troubled ramp-up of its new EVs, the end of life of some important volume models, and also the fact that volume from some clients, like Mercedes or Ford, is being diverted to the competition.
Caterpillar and CRH have collaborated to test electric mining trucks capable of hauling up to 100 tons, aiming for sustainable heavy equipment solutions and decarbonization. The electric 793 mining truck, capable of carrying 265 tons, features advancements such as autonomous hauling and regenerative braking, emphasizing its potential in safety, performance, and operational efficiency without immediate recharging needs. Electrek’s analysis underscores the significant reduction in carbon emissions and noise, highlighting the move towards a greener future in heavy machinery and mining industries.
Daimler’s GenH2 hydrogen trucks, powered by liquid hydrogen for an electric motor, are set to hit German roads in 2024. These trucks, boasting a hauling capacity of about 25 tons for over 1,000 kilometers on a full tank, integrate a propulsion system delivering 300 kilowatts, supplemented by a battery for an additional 400 kilowatts during high-demand situations like hill climbs. This initiative represents a collaborative effort with Air Liquide and Linde for H2 refueling services, leveraging advanced storage technology for higher energy density and operational efficiency. PSR
