Alternative Power | Power Systems Research

2025-02-24

Tesla Sales Drop 60% in Germany

Tesla’s sales dropped nearly 60% in January in Germany compared to the same period last year, and the same thing is happening throughout Europe. The two main reasons are believed to be the introduction of the new Model Y and the disapproval of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his meddling in politics, which is especially not appreciated in Europe

Obviously, Tesla will use the Model Y transition as an excuse, and there’s some truth to it. However, Tesla was transitioning the Model 3 around the same time last year, which also negatively affected 2024 sales

Categories: Alternative Power, EV, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Sales

Office: United States Offices

Nissan Ditches Honda, Eyes Foxconn Alliance

Guy Youngs

After unsuccessful negotiations with Honda, Nissan has ended discussions about a merger and is now searching for a new partner, reports “Nikkei.” Among the potential candidates is the Taiwanese technology giant Foxconn.

Nissan abandoned plans for a $60 billion merger with Honda, which could have made it the third-largest car manufacturer in the world. The primary issue reportedly was disagreements over the terms of the merger.

Categories: Alternative Power, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

Recycled Battery Metals Important for Europe EVs

Guy Youngs

Recycling could enable Europe to cut its reliance on EV battery mineral imports by up to a quarter by the end of the decade, a new study finds. Materials from end-of-life batteries and gigafactory scrap have the potential to build up to 2.4 million EVs locally in 2030, according to research by Transport & Environment (T&E).

Recycling spent cells and production scrap could provide 14% of the lithium, 16% of the nickel, 17% of the manganese, and a quarter (25%) of the cobalt that Europe will need for electric cars in 2030.

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

Kanadevia To Build Plant for Hydrogen Equipment

Akihiro Komuro

Kanadevia (formerly Hitachi Zosen) said it plans to build the first mass-production plant for water electrolysis equipment, which produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water, in Yamanashi Prefecture.

A company announcement said, “We want to develop this as an important production base that contributes to the realization of a hydrogen society. The company will invest approximately 8 billion yen ($52,000,000 USD) to build a mass production plant for water electrolysis equipment with an annual production capacity of 1 gigawatt (157,000 tons of hydrogen produced).

Construction is scheduled to begin about June 2026, with completion and operation by the end of fiscal 2028. The company plans to position this as a domestic mother plant, and in the future, it envisions gradually expanding its hydrogen production equipment manufacturing bases both in Japan and overseas.

Categories: Alternative Power, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Japan, Production

Office: Japan Office

2025-01-27

FAW Jiefang, CATL Plan CV Electrification Effort

Jack Hao

FAW Jiefang and CATL have signed a strategic cooperation agreement under which they agreed to work together to develop new energy commercial vehicles.

According to the agreement, the two parties plan to integrate selected resources in the field of new energy commercial vehicles. They will collaborate in product matching, product development, science and technology project applications, industrial ecosystem construction, and business model innovation.

The joint venture between FAW Jiefang and CATL—FAW Jiefang Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.—will work to leapfrog growth in the sales of new energy commercial vehicles. Currently, driven by the government’s “dual carbon” strategic goals, the green transformation of the commercial vehicle transportation industry, is imminent and holds significant market potential. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that from January to November 2024, the sales volume of new energy commercial vehicles in China reached 462,000 units, with a year-on-year increase of as high as 31.1%.

Categories: Alternative Power, Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Greater China, Partnerships, PowerTALK, Production

Office: China Office

Toyota, Chinese Seek Thai Support for HVs, EVs

Akihiro Komuro

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.

Categories: Alternative Power, Hybrid, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Thailand

Office: Japan Office

São Paulo Delays BUS Electrification Plan

Fabio Ferraresi

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.

Categories: Alternative Power, Central/South America, Commercial Vehicles, Electrification, Legislation, PowerTALK

Office: Brazil Office

Honda, Nissan Near EV Merger

Guy Youngs

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.

Categories: Alternative Power, EV, Mergers & Acquisitions, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK

Office: United States Offices

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).

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Central/South America, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Production

Office: United States Offices

European EV Car Market Declines

Guy Youngs

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.

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Europe, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

Office: United States Offices

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