2025-04-21
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
2025-04-20
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
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.
2025-03-24
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
2025-03-23
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.
A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate this month seeks to repeal heavy-duty emissions standards, eliminate new and existing emissions waivers granted to states, set a national standard for emissions and more.
The “Transportation Freedom Act,” as the legislation is known, was introduced by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and co-sponsored by Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Jim Banks (R-Indiana) and James Justice (R-West Virginia). It includes several provisions related to heavy-duty truck emissions standards, as well as provisions addressing light- and medium-duty vehicles.
Notably, the bill would repeal Phase 3 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles. The Phase 3 GHG rule, finalized last year, ramps up CO2 emissions standards for trucks between model years 2027 and 2032.
2025-02-24
Toyota has been revealed to be the largest auto industry funder of climate deniers in US Congress, according to a report released today by Public Citizen.
Toyota sells more gas-powered, polluting vehicles than any other company on Earth, and thus it has a vested interest in continuing to sell those polluting vehicles. But the problem is that gas-powered, polluting vehicles are not good for the health of humans or other living beings on this planet
Toyota has repeatedly ranked as one of the strongest funders of pro-pollution, anti-EV, and climate denying propaganda in the world
Source: Electrek: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Previously, the auto industry has taken advantage of changes in government, trying to get money-saving clean air rules torpedoed even after implementation, but not this time, except for Toyota. The big concern behind all of this is whether Toyota will begin to struggle like Nissan and other legacy carmakers (with the impact of the EV revolution). PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
2025-01-27
“Looking ahead, we expect the gradual increase in infrastructure spending to boost consumption and improve demand, a revival across most CV segments, particularly in buses and vans, which are set to outperform last year’s levels. Intermediate, light and medium commercial vehicles (ILMCVs) are also likely to record similar or improved growth compared to fiscal year 2024.” – Girish Wagh, executive director at Tata Motors
Source: AutocarPro Read The Article
Market Dynamics and Growth Segments
The CV industry is set to benefit from the government’s pro-growth policies, particularly in infrastructure. The increased Capex outlay of US$115.5 billion ( ₹10 trillion) in the Union Budget 2023-24 is driving growth in sectors such as steel, cement, mining, and construction, which are key consumers of CVs.
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.
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.
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