Industry News | Power Systems Research

2025-04-25

2-Wheelers Demand Crumbles Across European

Brussels, Belgium. Registrations of power 2-wheelers across the top 10 markets in Europe were down 19% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. This result is mainly a consequence of the introduction of the Euro 5+ emissions standards on Jan. 1, 2025, and it was anticipated after the very positive results of 2024.

Germany, Austria and the UK saw the harsher decreases, reporting respectively a -41%, -27% and -22% compared to last year. On the other hand, Switzerland limited the loss to -6%, while Poland and Spain were the only countries to report positive growth, +3% and + 6%.

Categories: Emissions, Europe, Motorcycles, Recreational Products, Sales

Office: Europe Office

2025-04-21

France, Germany Endorse Electric Trucks

Guy Youngs

French Conseil d’Analyse Économique (CAE) and the German Council of Economic Experts (GCEE) finally weighed in on the EV vs. Hydrogen debate. And they didn’t fall for the hydrogen fantasy. Instead, they did what economists do best: they looked at the numbers, ran the models, and calmly declared that battery-electric trucks are not just viable—they’re the smart bet

Categories: Alternative Power, Electrification, Hydrogen, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Office: United States Offices

Europe Tesla (TSLA) Deliveries Down 43%

Guy Youngs

The official numbers from European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) are out, and they confirmed that Tesla deliveries have crashed by 43% in Europe so far this year.

Based on the main European auto markets already having reported vehicle registrations earlier this month, we already had a good idea of Tesla’s performance in the market, but now the ACEA has made it official.

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

Office: United States Offices

2025-04-20

UK Reconsidering Tesla Subsidies

Guy Youngs

US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on imported automobiles (again), and one reaction from the UK is to reconsider its policy on electric vehicle subsidies, especially since it is providing so much money to Tesla buyers.

“Tesla has benefited from £188m in UK taxpayer subsidies in nine years,” The Independent writes.

After imposing a 25% tariff on automobiles exported from the UK to the US, it’s quite natural for British people in the auto industry and politicians to say, “Hey, we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars to subsidize your cars, and now you want to slap a tax on ours? Let’s reconsider how our EV policies work….” UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government is reviewing its electric vehicle transition rules, amid calls for reciprocal tariffs on Tesla imports,

Source: Clean Technica: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The backlash against the Trump tariffs is slowly starting to take shape and a lot of this is directed at Tesla because of Elon Musk and his support for Trump. Given that Tesla put an end to the myth that Europeans won’t buy American cars, it’s a very odd place for Tesla to be in and they probably will remain there until such time as the dump Musk or go bankrupt. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, eMobility, Europe, Legislation, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, PowerTALK, Tariff

Office: United States Offices

South Korea Considers Tariff Bargaining Chips

Akihiro Komuro

South Korea is considering purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sharing the cost of stationing U.S. troops in the country as bargaining chips in negotiations with the U.S., which President Trump is seeking to revive, but these are not sufficient materials, and the future is uncertain. South Korea is the second largest shipbuilding nation after China and can produce high value-added vessels such as LNG carriers.

Categories: Economics, Marine, PowerTALK, Tariff

Office: Japan Office

ASEAN Leaders Consider Tariff Response

Akihiro Komuro

The numbers vary greatly from country to country. This is strongly influenced by the geopolitical and economic intentions behind them. Broadly speaking, it seems that countries with strong economic and strategic ties to China have been given a higher tax rate as a form of sanction. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar are all examples of this. On the other hand, countries where U.S. companies have a direct presence have also been given a more restrained rate from a supply chain perspective. Furthermore, from a political and security perspective, the Philippines, for example, which has close military and diplomatic ties with the United States, can be said to be relatively privileged.

Categories: Economics, PowerTALK, Southeast Asia, Tariff

Office: Japan Office

US Tariffs Could Hurt Japan GDP

Akihiro Komuro

On April 12, as I write this, things are still in flux. There is a lot of media coverage every day, with reports on the tariffs reaching almost hysterical levels. The reciprocal tariff rate for Japan announced by the U.S. is 24%, which is an unexpectedly high level given the past relationship between the two countries.

As a result, Japan’s real GDP is expected to fall by about 0.6% in the short term (2025) and 1.8% in the medium term (2029). This will have a huge impact on Japan, which has maintained a growth rate of around 3% per year. It has been reported that Japan is currently negotiating with the Trump administration, but it is doubtful whether the current Japanese government will be able to negotiate effectively with the US. We will see whether the terms will be reconsidered after the negotiations in the future.

I would just like to point out one thing: President Trump talks about Japan’s failure to buy American cars as unfair and negligent, but this is a clear mistake. It is true that American cars do not sell well in Japan. GM is the only company with a formal dealer network in Japan, and it is even hard to find GM dealer shops in Japan. Chrysler pulled out in 2018 and Ford in 2016.

Categories: Economics, Japan, Tariff

Office: Japan Office

Trump Tariffs Impact NA Truck Market

Chris Fisher

It appears the two main goals for implementing US trade tariffs: to bring more manufacturing jobs to United States and to negotiate more favorable trade agreements to reduce the trade deficit with the rest of the world, could negatively impact the North American medium and heavy truck market. In 2024, the United States trade deficit was $918.4 billion which was a 17% increase from 2023.

April 9, President Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs on most countries for 90 days. The tariffs for most countries would be reduced to 10% during this period. Canada and Mexico will not be impacted by the 10% tariff for goods trading under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. However, tariffs on imported Chinese goods were raised to 145% after the Chinese implemented retaliatory tariffs on goods exported into China from the United States.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, Emissions, Legislation, North America, Tariff

Office: United States Offices

2025-03-24

US Losing Solid-State EV Battery Race

Guy Youngs

Trump gives other nations a real opportunity. Ilika is known for its micro-batteries, and the firm is now heading towards commercial production of its ”Goliath” solid-state EV battery with an assist from the UK government. In September, the company announced that a prototype version of its Goliath solid-state EV battery cell passed a critical safety test, and things have been moving along quickly since then. On Oct. 3, the company reported that the completion of additional safety tests for its D5 prototype solid-state EV battery

Today’s Li-ion EV batteries are designed with safety at the forefront. Though fires can occur, they are extremely rare, and they are proportionally rarer than fires involving internal combustion vehicles. So, if a solid-state EV battery can reduce if not eliminate the need for elaborate safety systems, the payout can be significant for automakers seeking a foothold in the affordable EV market of the future

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

Office: United States Offices

2025-03-23

Ford CEO Warns Tariffs Will Hurt US Auto Industry

Guy Youngs

As automakers brace for new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley is warning the extra costs would be “devastating.” Farley said the threats are already creating “chaos” and “a lot of costs” for the US auto industry.

So far, however, “what we’re seeing is a lot of cost and a lot of chaos,” Farley added. Ford is looking for ways to build up inventory in the US to soften the blow of Trump’s tariffs.

Categories: Alternative Power, Commercial Vehicles, Financial, Legislation, North America, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Office: United States Offices

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