News: Commercial Vehicles

2023-05-21

EPA Introduces Phase Three GHG Emission Standards

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In early May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a virtual public hearing regarding the Phase 3 greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy duty trucks.  There are various comments and opinions from the stakeholders that attended the hearing.  Along with introducing the Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) rules to begin for MY 2028 trucks, the EPA also revised the Phase 2 GHG standards for the MY 2027 truck standards. 

This link from CCJ (Commercial Carrier Journal) is a good overview of the conference.

CCJ: ‘Destined to fail’: Trucking sounds off to EPA on new Phase 3 greenhouse-gas regs

The Environmental Protection Agency this week held virtual public hearings related to its Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, unveiled last month. Among the dozens who testified during the hearings, trucking industry stakeholders were part of a small minority advocating for EPA to take a step back and reconsider the proposed standards that would take effect beginning with model-year 2027 trucks.

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Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in US Hydrogen Fuel Network

Cummins has announced that in addition to the recent investments it has made in its Fridley, Minn., plant, it will also invest more than $1 billion across its US engine manufacturing network in an effort to support the transition into hydrogen fuel.

The investments are being made in Indiana, North Carolina and New York. The $1 billion is intended to provide an upgrade of facilities supporting the first “fuel-agnostic” engine platforms in the industry. The fuel-agnostic concept refers specifically engines that can use different types of fuel, especially a variety of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels.

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2023-04-19

Alternative Power Report, April 2023

PSR Alt Power Report-April 2023.Download

Engines powered by gasoline and diesel fuel are reaching a critical point in production compared to electric and hybrid vehicles, according to reports in the April issue of Alternative Power Report. 2026 could be a critical year. Read about this trend and related articles that address alternative power in this issue.

LNG May Be Fuel for Long-Haul Trucking

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

With the increasing penetration of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) network across India, many cities may transition from conventional diesel-powered vehicles to CNG for the last mile.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could be a favorable option for heavy and long hauls due to its higher energy density and hence a lower payload penalty and potential range, a lower carbon footprint/noise levels and its cryogenic temperatures which makes it a theft-proof fuel option.

At the same time, the use of HPDI (High-Pressure Direct Injection), a system that enables heavy–duty trucks to operate on natural gas with diesel- like performance would also aid in the switch to LNG.

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2023-04-18

Volvo Tests Renewable LNG Truck

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Volvo plans to test trucks fueled by vegetable origin LNG, gas in liquid form. According to the president of Volvo Trucks in Latin America, Wilson Lirmann, gas from renewable waste makes more sense in the transport operation because it contributes to nullifying the emission of CO2 in the fleet of commercial vehicles.

In this sense, the brand should soon bring LNG-powered trucks to the region. Brazil is a focus market, but possibly these trucks will debut in other South America countries. That’s because the infrastructure is still under development in Brazil. Although Lirmann does not say which countries in the region will receive the brand’s first gas trucks, it is known that Argentina and Chile already have more developed technology and infrastructure. 

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Biodiesel Mix Increase Begins in Brazil

During its first meeting March 17, 2023, the new leadership of the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE) approved an increase to 12% of the mandatory blend of biodiesel to diesel sold in Brazil, after April this year.

The proposal approved by the CNPE sets the addition of biodiesel in the composition of diesel to grow in April this year from the current level of 10% (B10 mixture) to 12% (B12 mixture). The content will be raised to 13% (B13 mixture) in April 2024, to 14% (B14 mixture) in April 2025 and to 15% (B15 mixture) in April 2026.

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Scania, Mercedes Reduce Production Shifts in Brazil

BRAZIL REPORT  

In line with ANFAVEA forecast of 20% reduction in production for 2023, Scania and Mercedes announced the reduction of one shift of production in MHV production lines. Scania reallocated 200 employees at the remaining shift and laid off part of its temporary workers in the workforce. Scania does not have a forecast to reopen the second shift.

At the same time, Mercedes announced three months forecast to reopen the shift. While Scania only mentioned market demand as a reason for its reduction, Mercedes mention Market, lack of components and the country’s interest rates.

Source: Valor Econômico    Read The Article

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Beiqi Foton Motors and Cummins Set Joint Investment

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Beijing Foton Motors and Cummins said they will further strengthen their strategic cooperation in the Southeast Asian region and sign a joint investment agreement with the Foton Cummins Thailand engine factory to provide powertrains for the Foton Zhengda vehicle base and Southeast Asian business.

This signing would mark a further strategic cooperation between Foton Motors and Cummins, targeting a wider range of regional markets and providing more diversified power solutions to global customers.

As a global emerging economy, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has become one of the regions with the greatest development potential in the world. In recent years, Foton Motors has had significant business expansion in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Their market share has gradually increased in trucks, buses, and other specialized vehicles, and they have built their reputation in the local market.

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2023-03-26

Fras-le Acquires Juratek in UK

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Fras-le announced plans to acquire the operations of AML Juratek, the parent company of Juratek and BettaParts, which operate in the UK and European aftermarket, with lines of braking products such as discs, brake pads, calipers and actuators. Fras-le said it intends to invest about US$ 22 million (£ 18.2 million) in the acquisition.

Fras-le will continue to work in the European market with the Juratek and BettaParts brands and will receive the reinforcement of the other iconic brands of the company in the global market, such as Fras-le and Fremax, expanding business possibilities. In 2022, AML Juratek recorded revenues of approximately £25 million.

The acquisition is added to Fras-le’s global structure of operations, currently present with industrial units in Brazil, the United States, China, Argentina, Uruguay and India, as well as distribution, technology and development centers and commercial representations to serve customers in more than 120 countries on five continents.

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WEG Building Plant for EV Batteries in Brazil

Brazilian WEG has announced plans for a new 6,000 m2 plant in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, to produce battery packs for EVs. With the investment, the annual capacity will be 1 GWh in battery packs. WEG plans a highly automated plant, with 140 direct employees; WEG’s timeline calls for completion of the plant in 1H 2024.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: WEG aims to supply EV production for OEMs located in Brazil. With strong background in drives and industrial electrical components, WEG could be a natural selection for many OEMs in Brazil.    PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director of Business Development-South America for Power Systems Research