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.

BorgWarner Buys EV Charging Company

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

Global auto supplier, BorgWarner has announced it is buying EV charging company Rhombus Energy Solutions. The deal will boost its EV charging presence in North America while adding to its European market and will accelerate its charging business by leveraging its existing capabilities. This is the latest in a round of EV related acquisitions the company has made. In August 2021 it took control of AKASOL,(a German EV battery company) and in March 2022, BorgWarner acquired 100% of Santroll Automotive Components (a light vehicle eMotor business).

Source: Electrek Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This acquisition will generate good revenue for BorgWarner and continues their move into this market. It’s also a good example of the many acquisitions that OEMs are making into the broad arena of electric power as they see future opportunities. Other recent examples include: Nikola acquiring Romeo Power to bring its battery supply inhouse, Terex investing in Acculon Energy, and Cummins acquiring Meritor (Cummins believes eAxles will be a critical integration point within hybrid and electric drivetrains).    PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Tesla Offers Lounges at Supercharger Stations


Tesla has linked up with bk World to provide its Supercharger stations to offer services to customers while their vehicles charge. Tesla has been trying to deploy its Supercharger stations at properties that include amenities that offer food, coffee, and restrooms, but that is not always easy. At a few locations, Tesla has deployed its own lounges to offer those amenities, including one test site in Germany which even has a swimming pool, and another has a restaurant.  

Source: Electrek Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With over 300 lounges planned in Europe, Tesla is trying to make the recharge wait time more enjoyable for customers, and at the same time generate another revenue stream. Providing customers with activities while they wait could encourage charger use and could develop charging stations into a destination location like selling customers of IKEA meatballs when they visit a store. Anything to help relieve the boredom of a charge waiting time that can run to an hour or more is an improvement.   PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Australian Solar Park Could Generate Hydrogen for Less Than $2/kg


Frontier Energy conducted a pre-feasibility study (PFS) at its Bristol Springs Solar project in Australia to show that it has the potential to be a low-cost green hydrogen producer, with power sourced from the company’s planned first stage 114 MW DC solar farm. The solar would power a 36.6 MW alkaline electrolyser, producing an estimated 4.4m kilograms of green hydrogen per year.

Source: PV Magazine Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With green hydrogen costs being around $3/kg to $6.5/kg, production of green hydrogen at this cost significantly boosts the use of hydrogen as a fuel for either Hydrogen ICEs or FCEVs. It also closes the price gap with dirty hydrogen which is generated using fossil fuels. Dirty hydrogen costs around $1.8 per kg, according to S&P Global.  PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

BMW Focuses on Hydrogen Fuel-cell EVs


BMW remains primarily focused on electrified combustion engines and battery electric cars, but it is adamant that hydrogen FCEVs (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles) will play a part of its transportation package. A limited batch of hydrogen-fueled BMW X5s soon will enter production, and the company says it is already planning for the next model with FCEVs making their way into its 2025 next-generation electric vehicle portfolio

Source: H2 Energy News Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This moves BMW into the Toyota/Hyundai camp supporting FCEV, with Tesla and VW being firmly in favor of battery-powered Electric Vehicles only. BMW is developing its position so that it can offer a full range of alternative power vehicles and meet customer demand whichever way it goes.   PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

North America Economy Faces Multiple Problems

Jim Downey
Jim Downey

SUMMARY. The United States economy is facing several serious problems that don’t have simple solutions and are not likely to be solved for several years, reaching out to the presidential elections in 2024.

Take your pick of problems: Inflation. Stock Market. Climate Changes. Interest Rates. Housing Prices. Gasoline Prices. Food Prices. Social Unrest. Political Conflicts. Worker shortages. Supply Chain Shortages. Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

The bottom line here is that consumers, investors, businesses, and governments are uncertain about what the future holds for the next several years, and this uncertainty makes it difficult to build multiple-year action plans, whether it’s for purchases, manufacturing, marketing, or investing.

Uncertainty makes people nervous, and Uncertainty is the name of the game in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.

However, we’re still optimistic about the U.S. economy and we see 2022 production growing by 11.6% but that activity is likely to fall to 2.7% next year and drop again to 1.5% in 2024.

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UTV & ATV Market Dynamics  

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Market Overview. The global UTV/ATV market size was US$ 8.66 billion in 2021, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.13%. PSR forecasts the global market to grow to US$ 11.67 billion by 2026

The North American UTV/ATV market was valued at US$ 6.66 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach US$ 8.50 billion in 2026, registering a CAGR of about 5.00% during the forecast period (2022 – 2026).

Applications. UTVs/ATVs were originally associated with sports and recreational activities. Application of these vehicles has diversified, and they are now being used in the agricultural sector and for patrolling, hunting, gardening, and other activities.

A recent application is the United States Army. The military has shown interest in acquiring UTVs/ATVs with features such as rapid transportation, the ability to carry nine fully armed soldiers, agility, and a minimum of 55 mph. 

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DATAPOINT. North American Pavers, 2022 Estimated Production: 2,900 Units

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT

2,900 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Pavers to be produced in the U.S. and Canada during 2022.

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Exports: Collectively, up to 40% worldwide.

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Market Intelligence: A Review of E-Motorcycle OEMs

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT
Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

The global e-motorcycle market is changing almost daily as market share leaders develop new products and new companies continue to enter the market with competitive products. Here’s an update on several leading e-motorcycle OEMs.

Tork Motors has launched the Kratos electric motorcycle in the Indian market. The new Tork Kratos will be sold in two variants – Standard and R and will be available across India in a phased manner. In the first phase, this e-motorcycle will be available in Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. The electric motor on the base model makes a peak power output of 7.5kW or 10.05bhp and a maximum torque of 28Nm. Tork has a manufacturing capacity to make about 500 units a month at its pilot plant and about 4,000 units a month at its new plant at Chakan near Pune.

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E-Motorcycles Market Update

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT
Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

The global e-motorcycle market has experienced high growth in the last couple of years, fueled in part by the declining price of Lithium-ion batteries. The battery is one of the most expensive components of an e-motorcycle, and changes in the price of Li-ion batteries affect the entire cost of an e-motorcycle. The cost of Li-ion batteries has been steadily declining, and this trend is likely to continue.

Power Systems Research has forecasted the global CAGR for electric motorcycles, at 11% for the years 2022 – 2027.

Drivers-of-Demand for this forecasted growth are:

  • Increased environmental concerns.
  • Higher fuel efficiency of e-motorcycles compared to conventional motorcycles.
  • Increased demand for sustainable transportation.
  • New incentive programs for e-motorcycles driven by government units.
  • Advancements in technology such as high-speed handling, smaller/compact size, quicker acceleration, and reduced motor weight.
  • Introduction of fast-charging stations.
  • COVID-19 virus played a vital role in increasing the demands for the e-motorcycle. Pandemic halted the manufacturing of vehicle components and OEM parts for conventional motorcycles and available e-motorcycles in the market became the first choice among the consumers.
  • Expanding dealer and distributor network promoting the e-vehicle and its advantages.
  • Consistent research and technological advancements in the automobile industry to provide advanced technologies to e-motorcycles

Two factors hampering the growth of the market are the comparatively higher initial cost for e-motorcycles and the lack of a developed charging infrastructure. PSR

Michael Aistrup is Senior Analyst specializing in Recreational Products at Power Systems Research