Power Systems Research (PSR) is an international research company based in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. It operates a second North America office in Detroit, Mich., and has offices in five other countries. PSR analysts have been collecting and analyzing global engine and powertrain data and information since 1976, and we use this data to develop targeted forecasts by industry segment and region.
Our team of experienced analysts works with OEMs, engine and component manufacturers, dealers, fleet managers and industry experts to compile detailed and focused data that has become an industry standard. It’s the leading source of global information on engines and power equipment powered by IC and alternate sources. Whether you need detailed global data, forecasts or customized local market studies, we can provide you with Data, Forecasting and Solutions. Let’s start today.
2024-02-27
The February issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research contains articles on China battery production and Chinese EV market share gains in Thailand. There’s also news about CATL’s wind power project and several articles about EV heavy truck development.
2024-01-23
General Motors and mining and construction equipment giant Komatsu plan to jointly design and validate the hydrogen fuel cell technology for the 930E electric drive mining truck. GM has been conducting hydrogen fuel cell research and product development for more than 50 years and has developed platforms for both lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
Mining trucks typically operate at a single mine throughout their life, a situation that simplifies the challenge of rolling out hydrogen refueling stations. GM and Komatsu plan to test the prototype HYDROTEC-powered mining vehicle in the mid-2020s at Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds research and development facility. The prototype mining truck will be powered by more than 2 megawatts of HYDROTEC power cubes.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, the French government has revised its “malus écologique”, a one-time penalty tax for registering bulky, CO2-emitting cars, to include many more ICE vehicles, even some of the most popular budget models.
Drivers of cars emitting 118 g/km of CO2 pay €50 (about $55), and this increases rapidly with higher CO2 emissions, with a maximum ceiling for vehicles reaching €60,000 ($65,590). Vehicles weighing 1,600 kg/1.6 tons or more will have to pay between €10 and €30 per additional kilo.
Euromonitor International has released the results of its Electric Vehicle Readiness Index for 2023 survey, which evaluates the most prepared countries which can support widespread EV adoption.
Norway, Switzerland and Sweden ranked at the top of the index, due to EV market maturity and consumer buying power. Brazil, South Africa and India were ranked at the bottom, owing to limited government incentives, low incomes and the undersupply of public charging stations
Consumers, Professionals Boost Lawn & Garden Spending 
Lawn and garden equipment manufacturers make powered lawn and garden equipment, primarily for household and business maintenance of lawns and gardens. Equipment manufactured by this industry includes lawn tractors, riding and standing mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, woodchippers and other machinery for maintaining lawns and gardens.
Industry Trends. Increased per household spending on lawn care and gardening services by the American family, younger individuals purchasing residential property, easing of COVID-19 restrictions and other factors like lawns adding to the aesthetic appeal of the residential property, is anticipated to bolster the DIY and commercial lawn care market.
2024-01-19
Sila’s Titan Silicon anode powder consists of tiny particles of nano-structured silicon that replaces graphite in traditional lithium ion batteries. Compared to graphite, silicon stores up to 10 times more energy, so using it instead of graphite for anodes — which release electrons when a battery discharges — can significantly improve a battery’s energy density.
However, the material swells during repeated charging, with the resulting cracks radically reducing battery life. The Sila technology allows for this expansion by using nano-scale carbon “scaffolding” to keep the silicon in check.
The silicon powder has several advantages. With it, EVs could soon be able to travel up to 500 miles without stopping to charge. When the need does arise to recharge, the Sila batteries could do so in about 10 minutes.
Source: CleanTechnica: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Using silicon powder does not require new manufacturing techniques so the technology is proven and should be relatively cheap (but this wasn’t mentioned in the article) and it bypasses the virtual Chinese monopoly on purified graphite (China currently supplies 96% of the purified graphite used by the world’s battery makers). PSR
Guy Youngs, is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
Inside China a state subsidy is the norm, but outside of China the position is very different. The level of involvement by the central government feels a lot like a subsidy, one that undercuts local manufacturers. The problem is especially acute when it comes to electric car production.
Many of China’s car companies are looking more and more to export markets to absorb some of their production. But for some countries, the electric car onslaught coming from China is seen as a threat to local companies and their workers. The EV revolution was never intended to displace domestic industries and workers but that seems to be happening.
Engine maker Cummins is recalling 600,000 Ram trucks as part of a huge US$2 billion settlement with federal and California authorities for using illegal software to cheat results of diesel emissions tests.
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