Hybrid Vehicles Adapted as Alternative To EVs

News: Industry Segments

2024-06-18

Hybrid Vehicles Adapted as Alternative To EVs

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

Hybrid vehicles are gaining traction in India as a practical alternative to fully electric vehicles (EVs), a trend driven by strategic manufacturer initiatives, evolving consumer preferences, and infrastructural and policy challenges.

Major automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia are launching hybrid models to meet the increasing demand for fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. Hybrids offer a balanced solution, providing the benefits of both internal combustion engines and electric powertrains without the range anxiety associated with EVs.

Despite higher taxes on hybrids compared to EVs, the slow development of EV infrastructure and long waiting periods for EVs make hybrids a more viable option for many consumers. The hybrid market is expected to continue its growth, supported by ongoing innovation and potential policy adjustments to reduce costs, positioning hybrids as a crucial component in India’s journey towards sustainable transportation.

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Alternative Power Report, June 2024

PSR Alternative Power Report – Jun 2024Download

China may place 25% tariffs on EVs in retaliation for similar moves by the US and the European Union. Read about this as well as articles on new battery development, the decline in diesel sales and a new battery from CATL in the June 2024 Alternative Power Report from Power Systems Research. PSR

2024 Global Snowmobile Production 

89,400 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Snowmobiles expected to be produced in Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan and U.S. in 2024.

Snowmobiles, often called sleds, are motor vehicles that have a revolving tread in the rear and steerable runners in the front, for traveling over snow off-road, often at speeds exceeding 100 mph. They are used for recreation and industrial purposes.

This product information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers. PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research

2024-05-27

Europe Investigates Chinese EV Subsidies

Last October, the European Commission opened an inquiry into whether Chinese automakers are the beneficiaries of such significant subsidies by the Chinese government that they have an unfair economic advantage over domestic manufacturers. The question is ridiculous, of course. Everyone on Earth knows the Chinese government has been providing massive support to its automotive sector for 20 years.

China has been open about its commitment to electric car manufacturing. It has told everyone its plans and then made those plans a reality. So, it should come as no surprise that Chinese companies can build electric cars in China, ship them overseas, and still undercut the price of electric cars from domestic manufacturers by 25% or more.

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Unsold Chinese EVs Clogging European Ports

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

The threat of masses of cheap EVs made in China has governments concerned in Europe and the US. The USA has introduced a bill that would raise the tariff on EVs from China to 100% to protect US auto workers “from the existential threat posed by China” but Europe has no such tariff protections. The lack of high import tariffs has encouraged Chinese manufacturers to look to Europe as a place where they can send boatloads (literally) of electric cars.

A report by the Financial Times claims that Chinese manufacturers are sending more EVs to Europe than they can sell, which has led to thousands of EVs being parked at port facilities. The port operators are displeased because the glut of cars is interfering with other port activities. Some now say they are no longer ports but rather car parks for newly arrived Chinese EVs

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2024-05-25

Volvo To Build Truck Plant in Mexico

GLOBAL REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In April 2024, Volvo announced that it will build a heavy-duty truck manufacturing plant in Mexico to supplement the Group’s U.S. production. The plant will provide additional capacity to support the growth plans of Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets, and support Mack truck sales in Mexico and Latin America.  The plant is expected to be operational in 2026. 

The new plant will be approximately 1.7 million square feet in size, and will focus on production of heavy-duty conventional vehicles for the Volvo and Mack brands. It will be a complete conventional vehicle assembly facility including cab body-in-white production and paint.  At the time of this writing, Volvo has not announced the location of the new production facility.

Source: Volvo AB

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2032 Global ATV-SxS Market To Hit $22.9 Billion

GLOBAL REPORT
Michael Aistrup

According to the latest research by Power Systems Research, the global ATV & SxS market size is valued at $13.54 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.87% during the forecast period, reaching $22.85 billion by 2032.

ATV stands for “All Terrain Vehicle.” An ATV is an off-road vehicle with handlebar steering and a motorcycle-style seat that can seat a driver and one passenger in tandem. ATVs are designed for a variety of uneven terrain and roads. A side-by-side vehicle (SxS) is an off-road vehicle known for its 4- to 6-wheel design, unique side-by-side bucket seat setup, and steering wheel and pedal drive system.

Source: Power Systems Research

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Agrishow 2024 Reports US$ 2.6 Billion in Business

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Agrishow 2024 posted R$ 13.6 billion (US$ 2.6 Billion) in business, 2.4% higher than that recorded in 2023.

With 520,000 square meters and 800 booths, the almost three-decade-old event in Ribeirão Preto (SP) received 195,000 people for five days, from small, medium and large Brazilian producers to representatives of international companies. Four representatives of our PSR senior team in South America attended the Show to gather information and data.

Considered one of the largest open-air fairs in the world focused on agribusiness, Agrishow is not only a thermometer of the country’s economic activity but also a showcase of the latest in field technology, from agriculture to livestock.

In addition to large harvesters, planters, and state-of-the-art tractors–including electrically powered models—exhibitors displayed innovations in robots and drones, with more and more applications in farming and features such as greater load capacity and remote control.

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Heavy Rains Batter Brazilian OEM Operations

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT 

Recent heavy rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul has led to production disruptions in many automotive OEM operations located in the region, including GM, AGCO, Marcopolo, John Deere, Randon, and auto parts manufacturers like Fras-le. Despite this, automakers and auto parts companies are gaining control over production operations. However, logistical challenges persist, raising concerns.

Both Anfavea, representing automakers, and Sindipeças, representing the components sector, express worry about the production flow from these companies in Rio Grande do Sul, which serve domestic and international demands, presenting an unpredictable aspect currently.

The initial expectation for vehicle production was to remain steady despite the rains, as Gravataí and the Serra Gaúcha region, where most automakers operate, remain largely unaffected. However, parts production in Porto Alegre faced important disruptions due to many manufacturers being located in flood-affected areas in the region and the transportation from production areas to OEMs was severely affected. Some OEMs—such as GM, Stellantis and Volkswagen–already announced temporary plant shutdowns.

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Komatsu Develops Hydrogen Generator

JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Komatsu has announced the development of a hydrogen-powered generator that will be used to power an electric mini excavator. It can be transported to the job site, allowing electric construction equipment to be used in places where there is no electric power infrastructure. The system will be tested at customer sites by September 2024.

The generator was developed in cooperation with DENYO. The generator is 3.1 meters long, 1.1 meters wide and 1.7 meters high. It generates electricity by mixing up to 40% hydrogen with light oil. HVO fuel (hydrogenated vegetable oil), a type of biofuel made from waste cooking oil, can also be used.

Komatsu has developed hydrogen-blended combustion power generators for use in on-site power generation at factories and other facilities. The company sells seven types of electric construction equipment but is unable to supply power to sites where there are no power distribution networks, so it has been working to commercialize an electric power supply infrastructure.

Source: The Nikkei

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