PowerTALK News

The April 2024 issue of PowerTALK News presents another excellent report by analyst Guy Youngs on Alternate Power sources, an update on the OEM Van Hool, John Deere’s aggressive plans for expansion in Brazil, and an analysis of the market strategies being developed by two OEMs in the India market.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• Are Sodium Ion Batteries Viable Alternative to Lithium?
• New Hydrogen Colors to Watch in 2024 and Why They Matter
• Study Shows Plug-in Hybrids Aren’t as Clean as We Thought
• CATL, Yutong Launch Long-life EV Battery

GLOBAL:  Lawn and Garden Equipment Market

DATAPOINT: North America Plate Compactor Production  

EUROPE: A New Path for Van Hool   
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• John Deere Announces New Investments in Brazil
• Volvo To Begin Testing Heavy Trucks

JAPAN: Kubota Unveils First Fuel Cell Tractor
CHINA: VW To Inject € 2.5 billion into its Hefei Base
INDIA: Two EV Strategies for India Market

In the March 2024 issue of PowerTALK News you’ll find two articles describing changes at Van Hool, the Belgian bus manufacturer, as it struggles to meet EV competition. Another EV article describes possible EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports. You can also read an update on EV battery technology from Michael Aistrup as well as a report on the record sales performance in 2023 by Rolls Royce power systems business unit by Natasa Mulahalilovic, Finance and Admin. Manager – Europe.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT:

• Germany Drops Subsidies for Electric Semi-trucks and Buses
• Lithium-Air EV Batteries Tapped For Net Zero Economy of The Future
• Why Are Hydrogen Fuel Cells So Expensive?
• Europe May Slap Retroactive Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

• Van Hool To End City Bus Production in Belgium
• E-Battery Technology Increases Application Opportunities

DATAPOINT: North America Trencher Production  

EUROPE:

• Rolls Royce Posts 16% Revenue Gain
• Van Hool Making Major Changes      

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Car OEMs Announce US$ 14.3 Billion Investment in Brazil
• AG and CE Segments Poised for Substantial Growth in Brazil

JAPAN: Kubota Plans To Produce Batteries for EV AG Equipment
SOUTH KOREA: SK Plans World’s Largest Semiconductor Manufacturing Base
CHINA: Electrification of Construction Machinery Industry Accelerates
INDIA: EV Market Provides Opportunities and Challenges

China companies dealing in alternative power–batteries and electric vehicles–make the news in the February issue of PowerTALK by Power Systems Research. CATL has gained market share in the global battery market and it has formed a production alliance in China. At the same time, China OEMs are gaining market share in Thailand’s EV market. Mike Aistrup reports that the global powersports recreational products market is forecast to exceed US$ 35 Billion in 2025.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• CATL Expands Battery Market Share Lead in 2023
• Electric Trucks Can Haul 100 Tons
• Daimler’s Aims for Hydrogen Milestone
• Toyota Maintains EV Market Skepticism

NORTH AMERICA:

• Shell To Exit Light Duty FCEV Market in California
• Global Powersports Market To Exceed $35 Billion in 2025

DATAPOINT: NA ATVs
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• VW To Invest US$250 Million in Argentina by 2026
• Cummins To Produce New Off Highway Engine at Guarulhos Plant
• Brazil Posts Record Heavy Duty Trailers Sales in January 2024  

JAPAN: Toyota and Chiyoda Develop Hydrogen Production System
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Shifts EV Plans, Introduces Genesis Hybrid
THAILAND: Japanese Car Share Plummets in Thailand, China Gains Share
CHINA: LGMG and CATAL Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement
INDIA: India FY25 Budget Is Driving EV Revolution

BYD, the Chinese auto manufacturer, is making expansion moves in Brazil, Deutz plans to sell electric marine motor manufacturer Torqeedo to Yamaha and GM and Komatsu are developing hydrogen fuel cells for mining trucks. Read these articles and more in the January issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• GM, Komatsu Plan Hydrogen Fuel Cells for EV Mining Truc
• · Drivers of Heavy, Dirty Cars Pay Stiff Penalty Tax in Franc
• · Survey: EV Range Anxiety Slips in Importance
• · Cathode Material for Cheaper, More Sustainable EVs Developed

NORTH AMERICA: Consumers, Professionals Boost Lawn & Garden Spending
EUROPE:

• · Electric Hydro Foiling Popular in Maritime Industry
• · Deutz AG To Sell Torqeedo Shares To Yamaha

DATAPOINT: NA Dumpers/Tenders
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• · BYD Seeks To Acquire Lithium Mining Operation in Brazil
• · BYD Plans Supply Chain Verticalization in Brazil

JAPAN: 2023 Domestic MC Shipments Increase 4%
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Sells Chongqing Plant in China
THAILAND: Lithium Deposit World’s Third Largest
CHINA: Recharging Slows Penetration of New Energy HD Trucks
INDIA: Ford’s Potential Return to India

Worldwide EV battery development continues at a fast pace, US outdoor recreation industry hits $1 trillion, and Honda plans to drop mass production of its Honda “e” . Read about these items and more in the December PowerTALK News from Power Systems Research.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• High Energy, Cobalt-Free Lithium Ion Battery Developed
• CATL Creates Fast Charging Skateboard
• Record Low EV Battery Prices Reported in 2023
• US Discovers Lithium Bonanza for EV Batteries

NORTH AMERICA: 

• Electrify Where It Makes Sense
• Outdoor Recreation Adds $1.5 Trillion to US Economy in 2022

DATAPOINT: NA Combines
EUROPE: Kobelco Expands European Headquarters
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Argentina Vehicle Production Grows in November
• Brazil Off-Highway Machine Sales Continue To Decline
• VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January

JAPAN: Honda To Drop Mass-Produced EV “Honda e”
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor and Apple May Partner
INDIA: Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports

EV activity continues to increase across the globe as reported in the November issue of PowerTALK News. This issue features EV reports from China, Japan, North America, Brazil, South Korea and Thailand.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• China Discovers Unique Battery Material
• Toyota Joins Race To Mass Produce Solid-State Batteries
• Could Toyota’s Ammonia Engine Bring the End of EVs?
• White Hydrogen Could Reduce Decarbonization

GLOBAL: Outboard Marine Engine Market Hits $5.5 Billion
NORTH AMERICA: Transitioning from ICE Buses to Zero-Emission Engines
DATAPOINT: NA Graders      
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• XCMG To Invest US$ 55 Million in Brazil Electric Truck Plant
• Vehicle Production in Brazil Stagnates
• Brazilian Marcopolo Approves its Fuel Cell Bus in Europe
• VW Announces Pickup Truck To Fight with Fiat Toro

JAPAN: Kubota and Sumitomo Plan Mutual Supply of Equipment
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Sells EVs To Oil-Producing Countries
THAILAND:  China Auto Manufacturer To Invest in Thai EV Motorbike Plant
CHINA: Weichai-BYD JV Begins 56 Billion Yuan, 50GWh Battery Project
INDIA: Construction Equipment Sector Poised for Substantial Growth

China’s growing success with EV sales in Europe is causing EU officials to consider placing tariffs on Chinese EV imports to balance the playing field. Read about this and more in the October issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

• Tesla Tests Diner with Theater and Supercharger
• Lithium Deposit In Extinct Nevada Volcano Could Be World’s Largest
• Both Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cars Needed
• EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

• Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook
• E-Motorcycle Product Report

DATAPOINT: NA Scooters/Minibikes/Mopeds         

EUROPE: 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

• Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production
• Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed
• Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo

JAPAN: Komatsu Plans Electric Excavator Developed with Honda
MALAYSIA:  Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand
CHINA: FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
INDIA: Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility  

Read about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.

IN THIS ISSUE

Reports of new product development and emissions are featured in several articles in the August 2023 issue of PowerTALK News. Read about VW’s breakthroughs, a new hydrogen-powered generator, and new regulations covering machine products in Europe.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Alternative Power:
  • VW Reveals Four EV Breakthroughs
  • EVs Report Fewer Greenhouse Gases
  • Methane Is Big Greenhouse Gas Problem
  • Hydrogen Engines Pose Hurdles
• DataPoint: North America Personal Watercraft
• Europe: New Machine Regulations
• Brazil/South America:
  • PSR Sponsors at SAE Mobility Forum
  • Mexico Beats Argentina in Brazil Exports
  • 29% of 2023 Brazil Trucks Have Euro 6 Engines
• Japan: Firms Develop Hydrogen-Powered Generator
• Vietnam: Foxconn To Invest $246 Million in Vietnam
• China: XCMG Group, Toyota Sign Pact
• India: Marluti Suzuki Plans India Market Expansion

Production is the key word in PowerTALK articles for July. Read about new techniques for battery production, supply chain problems in Japan, production cutbacks in China and new facilities in South America.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Alternative Power:
  • What Is Future of Alternative Power?
  • BYD Sets JV for EV Batteries
  • Offshore Hydrogen 10X Cost of LNG
  • VW Plans Dry Battery
• Global:
  • Q2 2023 Economy Positive
  • Outdoor Power Equipment Shifts To Electric
• DataPoint: North America Mixers
• Europe:
  • Show Report: Electric Hybrid Marine
  • Ammonia Powered Fuel Cell
• Brazil/South America:
  • Alternative Power MHVs Decline
  • First VW Truck Built in Argentina
  • BYD Expands Brazil Production
  • Scania Truck Has 900km Range
• Japan: Semiconductor Shortage Hurts Honda
• South Korea: Hyundai Cuts China Production
• China: New VI-B Emissions
• India: OEMs Target Premium MC Segment