Follow PSR’s team of analysts as they track the rapidly expanding global battery electric power market, including, battery technology, transportation, eMobility, mergers and acquisitions and more.
Toyota has announced plans to build a research, development, and production company for Lexus electric vehicles and batteries in Jinshan District, Shanghai, and plans to start production in 2027.
“China has a complete electrification and intelligent technology industry chain,” says Ji Xuehong, Director and Professor of the Automotive Industry Innovation Research Center at North China University of Technology, “and stablishing a factory locally will allow Toyota to deeply integrate into China’s industry chain, quickly access advanced electrification technologies and high-quality parts resources, and thereby enhance the overall competitiveness and price advantage of its products.”
Localization will also enhance Lexus’ export capabilities, he says. Production in China can meet domestic demand, also reduce costs and improve the competitiveness of products in the international market.
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%.
Tadano, a major manufacturer of cranes, has converted one of its crawler cranes, which can lift up to 1600 tons, to electric power. By changing the power source from a diesel engine to an electric motor, the company has been able to maintain the performance of the existing product while reducing CO2 emissions to zero. The company converted its CC 88.1600-1 lattice boom crawler crane to electric power. This is a large crane equipped with crawlers instead of tires, and is used in plant and bridge construction, as well as wind power installation.
The electrified crane is connected by cable to the main unit and power supply equipment, and two 390-kilowatt electric motors drive the hydraulic pump. There are no CO2 emissions during operation. Compared to existing products powered by diesel engines, this crane will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 55 tons per year. The crane itself will be manufactured in Germany, while the electrification equipment will be produced in Japan. The crane is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2025 as part of the company’s EVOLT line of electrified products.
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.
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
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 years.
Under President Biden, the USA enacted massive and unprecedented tariffs to protect the remaining industries, working to keep American money at home. President-elect Donald Trump apparently will increase tariffs, according to statements he and other Republicans have made over the past year. These tariffs would be placed on imports from long-standing free-trade neighbors like Canada and Mexico.
PSR Analysis: If President-elect Trump does take America down this path, there is a suggestion that US alternative power/renewables industries will follow the fate of US innovation. Until recently, the USA led the world in innovation, but now foreign students are returning to their countries and being welcomed to do research with big budgets. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
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 imagine that story won’t get even more imbalanced in the coming four years with President-elect Donald Trump slowing US progress on EVs.
PSR Analysis: In China, there seems to be a real appetite for innovation, change and growth which seems to be lacking in Europe and the US. Many western auto brands are overpricing their vehicles and cancelling the most affordable models. This short-term outlook may be the end of these brands, as they are struggling to be relevant in today’s market. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus, in collaboration with Suspensys, has unveiled the VW Meteor Hybrid, Brazil’s first hybrid concept truck. This vehicle features a diesel engine combined with an electric auxiliary axle developed by Suspensys, enabling intelligent traction management that optimizes performance, reduces travel time, and enhances fuel efficiency.
The intelligent traction system allows the third axle to become driven, transforming the truck into a 6×4 configuration when necessary. This provides additional torque for uphill climbs and improved starting power when towing a loaded trailer. Preliminary studies suggest that this setup can decrease travel time due to the extra power.
Additionally, the regenerative system recovers energy during deceleration and in areas with elevation changes, enhancing efficiency and battery storage. The extent of increased autonomy depends on the operation and route. Initial tests estimate that the Meteor Hybrid concept can reduce diesel consumption by up to 10%, depending on the operation’s topography. This directly impacts CO₂ emissions, potentially avoiding over 25 tons annually.
PSR Analysis. This concept aligns with Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus’s strategy for decarbonization, as it can operate solely on the diesel engine during long trips without the need for charging infrastructure. This flexibility is particularly useful for routes lacking charging stations, increasing the operational versatility of the hybrid model. PSR
Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research
Bosch and Jiangling Group have signed a joint venture agreement in Nanchang, planning to establish a joint venture to jointly develop and sell electric drive axle systems for light commercial vehicles. The registered capital of the planned joint venture is 500 million yuan (63 million euros), with Bosch holding 60% and Jiangling holding 40%. The newly established company will be mainly responsible for the development, application, production, sales, and service of electric drive axle systems for light commercial vehicles.
Bosch will rely on its experience in electric drive technology to provide core technical capabilities such as electric drive, electric motors, and electric control, while Jiangling Group will contribute its insights in the complete vehicle field and grasp of the local market.
Donald Trump has always pushed for more oil drilling and fewer regulations, left the Paris Agreement in his first term as president, says he hates “windmills,” has promised to scrap offshore wind on “day one” if he won the 2024 election, and calls climate change a “scam.”
And now that he’s won, this is a direct threat to the US’s pledge to reach net zero by 2050. After all, federal policy directly impacts the pace of renewable energy growth, especially when it comes to incentives and research funding
Donald Trump will push fossil fuels and undo renewable energy policies, but it ultimately won’t stop clean energy’s momentum
PSR Analysis: The clean energy market isn’t solely driven by US federal policy. Over the last decade, solar, wind, and EVs have become more cost-competitive and popular. State policies play a huge role too, and many states are committed to their own clean energy goals regardless of who sits in the White House. Only time will tell the true impact of Trump’s victory. PSR
