Alternative Power | Power Systems Research

2025-11-16

GM Ends Hydrogen Fuel Cells For Vehicles

General Motors’ decision to end development of its next generation Hydrotec fuel cells for vehicles marked the close of a long, careful experiment. After years of research, pilot programs, and cautious optimism, GM finally acknowledged what the energy math had been showing for years: Hydrogen fuel cells are not a viable pathway for road transportation.

GM has been exploring hydrogen vehicles since 1966. GM framed its decision in practical terms. The company cited high costs, limited infrastructure, and low consumer demand. There are only about 60 hydrogen refueling stations in the United States.

Categories: Alternative Power, Hydrogen, Production

Office: United States Offices

Take-Aways from Trump Meeting with Chinese

Guy Youngs

In October, the Chinese government introduced new export controls on key dual-use items, citing national security concerns. The move affected the export of rare earths which are critical to all aspects of modern life (such as mobile phone, computers and EVs) (Click here to read about this). China manufacturers 80% to 90% of the world’s rare earths.

In response, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods and export controls on “critical” software beginning Nov. 1. These measures would come on top of the existing 30% tariff already in place.

Categories: Alternative Power, Production

Office: United States Offices

Chinese Battery Could Extend Life by 9,000 Hours

Guy Youngs

Lithium metal batteries have become the cornerstone for future power systems due to their high energy storage capacity. Now, Chinese scientists have developed a new battery system that could enable lithium cells to operate safely for thousands of hours, an advance that could lead to better batteries for electric vehicles and power grids.

However, the current liquid electrolytes in these cells pose several risks, including leakage and combustion, and the growth of lithium metal inside batteries into needle-like or branch-like structures during charging (called dendrites), can compromise battery safety and performance.

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, Production

Office: United States Offices

China EV Battery Has Range of 620 Miles

Guy Youngs

All-solid-state batteries may be the key to unlocking longer range, faster charging, and overall, more efficient electric vehicles. While America steps back from EVs, scientists in China have made a series of breakthroughs, and overcome several hurdles that have been holding the new EV battery tech from hitting the market.

According to a report from China Central Television (CCTV), scientists achieved three breakthroughs that could be key to unlocking the next-generation battery tech and allow a 100 kg battery pack to deliver over 1,000 km (620 miles) of range.

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

Office: United States Offices

2025-11-13

Alternative Power Report, November 2025

Guy Youngs

Alternative Power Report – November 2025 Download

In the November 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on General Motors halting production of Hydrogen fuel cells; China develops all-solid-state EV batteries with 620 mile range; plummeting battery prices will push BEVs below parity soon, and Chinese battery breakthrough could extend lithium cell lifespan by 9,000 hours. Read these articles and more in the November Alternative Power Report today. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, Batteries, Commercial Vehicles, Hydrogen, Production

Office: United States Offices

2025-10-20

Green Construction Equipment Sees Growth

Jack Hao

In China this year, green construction machinery is seeing rapid growth, and demand across multiple scenarios is becoming unmistakable. EVE Energy is delivering full-scenario solutions for earthmoving equipment, aerial work platforms and specialized machinery. After six years of shipments in the construction-machinery segment, EVE Energy now ranks second nationwide; individual vehicles have logged more than 16,000 operating hours, and the company’s products are fitted to over 60 OEMs including LiuGong, SANY and Lingong.

According to data from the Construction Machinery Association, domestic sales of new-energy construction equipment are expected to surpass one million units by 2028, and the incremental market for green machinery is opening up rapidly—yet pain points remain: bulky batteries, short cycle life and complex assembly.

Categories: Alternative Power, Commercial Vehicles, Construction, Electrification, Greater China, Production

Office: China Office

2025-10-19

Hitachi Powers Site with Hydrogen Gen-set

Guy Youngs

Hitachi Energy has successfully deployed its first-ever customer HyFlex hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) generator in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where the generator will replace an equivalent diesel generator producing 500-kilovolt-amperes (kVA). In doing so, the HyFlex-powered construction site could save as much as 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, and reduce the company’s carbon-dioxide emissions by about 2,900 tons

Hitachi plans to have a full zero-emission “ecosystem” on display at the pilot site, with plans to deploy similar low carbon ecosystems in noise-and pollution-sensitive areas like hospitals, critical data centers, disaster relief efforts, or shore-to-ship power applications

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

PSR Analysis. Most Hydrogen is not readily available except as a byproduct of fossil fuels. So, it might be misleading to call this a clean power source depending on the source of the hydrogen, and the question remains about how readily available is the hydrogen. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: AltPwr, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Power Generation

US Threatens Tariffs After China’s Rare Earth Curb

Guy Youngs

President Trump is threatening new tariffs (at 100%), after China introduced new restrictions on exports of rare earths and related technology.

Analysts say the export controls were an attempt to boost China’s leverage in trade talks with the United States, but Trump now says he may call off a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month

Categories: AltPwr, Tariff

Office: United States Offices

Carmakers on Track To Meet EU CO2 Requirements

Guy Youngs

European carmakers sold 38% more electric cars in the first seven months of this year, ensuring that all but Mercedes-Benz are on track to comply with the EU’s 2025–27 emission targets, new T&E research finds

The report suggests that the two-year extension of the targets allowed carmakers to take the foot off the gas and will lead to 2 million fewer electric cars being sold between 2025 and 2027

Categories: AltPwr, Electrification, Emissions, EV, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

Office: United States Offices

Why Electrifying Motorcycles In India Is Important

Guy Youngs

2W mobility in India represents over 70% of all mobility in India and accounts for 60% of gasoline consumption. Motorcycle sales are twice the scooter sales in India. While scooters are seeing ~20% penetration of EV, motorcycles are at 0.1%. This implies that a very significant portion of 2W mobility remains untouched from electrifications.

The market is vast – The number of motorcycles in India is approximately 250 M and almost all are entirely petrol powered. Every year 20M new motorcycles are sold in India. Petrol’s share today is approximately 99.9%

Source: Clean Technica: Read The Article PSR Analysis. The most popular motorbikes in India are in the range of 100-125cc. These are the kind of class that electric motorbikes should be able to compete in; there are a lot of “125cc-equivalent” electric motorbikes around. The cost of purchase and the ease of charging are key drivers in the potential growth of 2W electric machines. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Electrification, Recreational Products

Office: United States Offices

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Hitachi Powers Site with Hydrogen Gen-set

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