Alternative Power
-
Toyota, Chinese Seek Thai Support for HVs, EVs
THAILAND REPORT
In Thailand, major Japanese and Chinese automakers are requesting government support for HVs and EVs. At a time when the growth of electric vehicles has slowed, Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda visited Thailand and appealed to the prime minister for measures to promote hybrid vehicles. The Chinese are also demanding that the conditions for EV subsidies be relaxed, and they are lobbying hard for the largest automotive industry base in Southeast Asia.
According to a Thai government statement, Toyota’s chairman and the Thai prime minister discussed measures to promote Thailand’s automotive industry, including finished vehicles and parts suppliers. They discussed the promotion of hybrid vehicles, and the Prime Minister reportedly expressed a positive attitude toward government support.
-
São Paulo Delays BUS Electrification Plan
The São Paulo City Council has pushed back the deadline for CO2 reduction targets for the city’s bus fleet to 2054. This amendment allows operators to continue acquiring diesel-powered buses, contravening existing legislation. The bill now awaits the mayor’s decision for enactment or veto.
-
Honda, Nissan Near EV Merger
Japanese automakers are taking drastic measures to keep pace with Tesla and Chinese EV leaders like BYD. Honda and Nissan are now closing in on an EV merger to join resources and fend off the incoming competition. The merger is designed to help survive industry’s rapid shift to electric power. The tie-up could likely involve a third auto partner from Japan which reports suggest might be Mitsubishi
Honda and Nissan have been paving the way for an EV partnership for several months now. In March, the Japanese auto giants announced plans to co-develop new software and other EV tech.
-
BYD Controversy In Brazil — What Is Going On?

Guy Youngs Reports came out in late December that workers building a BYD factory in Brazil were working in “slavery” conditions and were potentially victims of human trafficking. Without a doubt, something horrible was going on. How much BYD knew or didn’t know, we don’t know, but the company has now terminated its subcontractor, Jinjiang Construction Brazil.
“Brazilian authorities have halted the construction of a factory for Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD, saying workers lived in conditions comparable to ‘slavery’,” BBC reported. “More than 160 workers have been rescued in Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, according to a statement from the Public Labor Prosecutor’s Office (MPT).
-
European EV Car Market Declines
The number of EVs sold across Europe fell by 3% to 3m during 2024, according to the latest data. This has come after the withdrawal of government tax breaks triggered a collapse in sales across Germany. The drop in Europe compared to a 40% surge in China, where 11m EVs were purchased. Sales across North America also rose 9% to 1.8m.
-
Volkswagen May Not Close Factories in Germany
Volkswagen is considering keeping its German plants up and running while reinstating job security agreements until 2030, with the tradeoff being that workers would forgo bonus payments, according to an anonymous source.
-
Alternative Power Report, December 2024
The December 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research includes articles the successful trends in Chinese EV production, Mercedes’ solar paint product for EVs, new research on sodium-ion batteries and the development of rotary engines powered by hydrogen. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
-
World Moving On Without USA, As Priorities Change
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Guy Youngs The recent USA presidential elections suggest that the USA will embrace its status as the world’s leading gasoline state, while previous gasoline states like Saudi Arabia plough vast sums into the energy of the future, renewables.
The USA ceded manufacturing of the technologies required for fighting climate change — solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, transformers, and more — to other countries, mostly China, over the past 40 ye…
-
Chinese EVs Moving Ahead of US Producers
With the US history as automobile leaders of the 1900s, it is easy to assume the US will continue being the automotive leader globally and especially domestically. However, the US is rapidly being outmaneuvered, out-innovated, and left in the dust by its Chinese competitors – particularly in the field of EVs.
This article brings together several stories relating to the automotive market with particular emphasis on BYD.
Overall, Chinese electric cars are leading the US auto industry, and it’s hard to…
-
Mercedes’ Solar Paint Could Eliminate EV Charging
Mercedes-Benz says it’s developing a solar paint that would allow electric vehicle owners in places like Los Angeles to power their daily driving without ever plugging in.
The German automaker teased the idea recently during a future technology showcase at its R&D center in Sindelfingen, Germany. The photovoltaic material starts as a paste and is applied to body panels in a layer that’s just 5 micrometers thick—thinner than a human hair. Covering every body panel of a mid-size SUV with the material…
OE Link™ Offers
Model Level Detail
Discover how our OE Link™ database can help you expand your markets.
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
OE Link™ Offers
Model Detail by Segment
OE Link™ database delivers OEM products in 13 industry segments, including Agricultural, Construction, Industrial, and Commercial Vehicles.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
DataPoint Reports
- North America 2026 Crawler Production
- North America Aerators Production
- North America Snowblower Production
- North America Tractor Production
OE Link™ Offers
Global Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Show Reports
- CONEXPO – Summary Report
- CONEXPO 2026 Shows Hybrid Power Gear
- South America Paving Expo 2025 Sets Records
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe