Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Maritime Propulsion System Being Developed

News: Industry Segments

2022-02-20

Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Maritime Propulsion System Being Developed

EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

Germany-based Torqeedo GmbH and Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH are jointly developing a hydrogen hybrid propulsion system for the marine industry. The ambitious and innovative project is provisionally named “Ma-Hy-Hy” (Marine Hydrogen Hybrid) and is funded by the Bavarian federal government until 2024.

Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH specializes in a high-tech innovative, climate neutral energy solutions,  especially in CO2-neutral and emission-free hydrogen fuel cells and electric hybrid systems for stationary, automotive, rail and maritime applications. Development and production sites are located in the Munich area.

Torqeedo GmbH, as a part of the Deutz group, is a market leader in development and production of lithium batteries, solar charging equipment, electric and hybrid drives. It offers outboards and inboards, electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0,5 to 100 kW on motor level (up to 200 kW on system level).

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DATAPOINT: 2022 North America Production Estimate, Harvesters 460 Units

460 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of agricultural harvesters to be produced in the U.S. during 2022.

This 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.

Market Share:  With 48.5% of total units produced, Deere leads in production of Harvesters in the U.S.  In second position is Oxbo International’s combined plant totals of 24%; third, is Flory with 10.5%. 

Exports: Collectively, up to 1% worldwide.

Trends: In 2021, production of Harvesters in NA increased 13%.  Production is expected to gain another 3% in 2022.  The Ag industry has fluctuated in recent years and demand for new products declined a few years ago due to falling commodity prices.  Farmers couldn’t afford new equipment and spent years refurbishing existing units.

Currently, it appears that growers are moving from hand to machine harvesting.  They are increasingly using over-the-row mechanical harvesters to pick produce and like commodities.  Especially during COVID times, this type of machinery reduces the need for manual labor during labor shortages.  The increase in harvester production is also attributed to the desire for new machinery that increases productivity and profitability. 

Expect production to fluctuate over the next 3-5 years with an increase of 5% by 2025.   PSR

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

NA Medium and Heavy EV Market In Early Testing

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Q. What is the current state of electric vehicle technology globally as well as the U.S.?
A. From a medium and heavy truck perspective, electric trucks are still in the early stages of testing, and it will still be a few years before we know if the current technology will be effective.  Transit or city buses are much further along in the process since these are largely not for profit vehicles and have more dedicated routes that allow for more consistent recharge. 

China is probably the furthest along with electric bus adoption with almost half of all medium and heavy buses produced being electric.  While electrified bus adoption in North America and Europe is not nearly as strong as China, demand is increasing.  In North America, natural gas buses (CNG and Propane) are currently the alternative fuel of choice.  However, government mandates will likely force bus electrification over the next decade or so.

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Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) Loses 37%

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Jim Downey
Jim Downey
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

ST. PAUL, MN — The Q4 2021 Power Systems Research Truck Production Index (PSR-TPI) increased from 116 to 120, or 3.4%, for the three-month period ended December 31,2021, from Q3 2021. The year-over-year (Q4 2020 to Q4 2021) loss for the PSR-TPI was, 190 to 120, or -37%.

The PSR-TPI measures truck production globally and across six regions: North America, China, Europe, South America, Japan and Korea and Emerging Markets.

This data comes from OE Link™, the proprietary database maintained by Power Systems Research.

Global Index: We expect global production volumes in 2022 to gain 3.7% vs 2021, with a positive trend in all regions, except for China, where we expect production volumes to be down -3.6% in 2022 vs 2021. China experienced a surge in demand during 2020 due to the change in emissions regulations, so 2021 was down significantly, about 20%.

All Regions: Global demand for Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHV) rebounded in 2021 but overall growth in the segment was flat. Going forward, we expect the growth to accelerate in 2022 and 2023. The exceptions to this rebound trend are in China and India, which continue to decline and sharply drive overall global production numbers into negative territory.

North America: While supply chain disruptions continue to negatively impact the commercial vehicle market, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production is expected to finish 2021 15.8% higher than 2020. The forecasted production growth rate is expected to continue to show improvement through 2023 as supply chain disruptions ease and truck capacity in the market begins to align with demand. The disruption in the supply chain and on-going issues with COVID will continue to impact the market in 2022.    PSR

Jim Downey is Vice President-Global Data Products and Chris Fisher is Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research

2022-01-22

KAMAZ Launches 720 hp Engine

RUSSIA REPORT

PowerTALK, January 2022

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

KAMAZ said it is installing new 6-cylinder engines working on methane gas and having 720 HP on its trucks. Switching to NG fuel is one of the main trends of the Russian automotive giant. It builds Inline 6 and V8 engines

Inline 6 cylinders engine will be made in several versions but the 720 hp will be available in the top model only. For the economy segment, the OEM will offer a 450 hp engine;  the price of this model will be significantly cheaper.     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: A few years ago, KAMAZ started developing new 6-cylinder inline engines in co-operation with Liebherr. The R&D now is program successfully expanding into a new stage, developing a new range of HHP NG-powered engines.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Autotor To Produce Two Models of Electric Cars in 2023

RUSSIA REPORT

Autotor said it plans to start mass production of electric cars next year. One of the new models will be a city car for young drivers, and second one will be a car for people with limited liabilities.

The OEM already has developed a concept vehicle with the designers from Europe, and there are plans to assemble a test lot of several thousand electric vehicles in 2023. Three possible OEMs are considered as partners in the venture:  Kia, Hyundai and BMW.

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PSR Analysis: Considering that there is almost no market for electric passenger cars in Russia, the OEM can expect limited demand for these new cars. And without massive development of a charging infrastructure, there will be no chance for this market to develop. Additionally, climate conditions also add problems for electric car owners and reduce their sales potential. PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Ural To Produce Axles for Heavy Trucks

RUSSIA REPORT

The Fund of Industrial Development has approved a loan of US$ 27 million (2 Bln rubles) under the “Priority Projects” program, which will allow Ural to build axles at a new production facility. The new site will allow OEM to double production of heavy load trucks and to create about 4,000 jobs.

Currently, these axles are being purchased in China. Ural is going to make this product for its own use, and for sale to other truck makers. Production under the program is expected to begin in 2023.

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Ford Automotive Plant Sold To Korean Sungwoo Hitech

RUSSIA REPORT

The South Korean company Sungwoo Hitech, a manufacturer of auto components that is part of the Hyundai group, has purchased an abandoned Ford plant in Vsevolzhsk.

Details of the deal have not disclosed. However, the plant, which is partly stripped and which has been idle for two years, is being sold for US$ 20 million, a total considered to be far below market value.

For now, the new owner said it is not planning to resume car production there, but the company said it is going to rehab the plant and start production in 2023. Sungwoo Hitech said at this time it plans to invest about US$ 70 million and employ 520 people. Production capacity will be about 265,000 units per year.

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Japan Could Miss Out on Southeast Asia’s Shift To EVs

INDONESIA AND THAILAND REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Competition in the development of EVs is fierce, and the momentum for their introduction is growing in Southeast Asia. While Chinese and Korean manufacturers are aggressively entering the market, Japanese manufacturers, which hold an 80% share of the new car market, have not made any significant moves.

Although the COVID-19 disaster has brought the market to a standstill, Southeast Asia, with a population of 660 million and a rising middle class, will continue to be a promising growth market.

A proactive EV strategy is required to protect the current market dominance. In Indonesia and Thailand, the two largest markets in the region, Japanese cars have a 90% share of the market. However, it is only the Chinese and South Koreans who are providing the buzz about EVs.

In Indonesia, South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co. will begin producing EVs in March at its completed vehicle plant that recently went into operation. For the time being, it will rely on imports for key components, but it is building a plant for mass production of onboard batteries in collaboration with LG Group, another Korean electronics giant.

In Thailand, China’s SAIC Motor Group and Great Wall Motor have already started selling EVs. The latter plans to start mass production of EVs in 2023 at a plant it acquired from GM in the US. Compared to China and South Korea, which are trying to secure a scale of production with an eye to exports, Japan is generally cautious, with Toyota and Mitsubishi considering local production of EVs in Thailand starting in 2023.

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LG Chem To Build Plant for Auto Battery Materials in Korea

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

LG Chem says it will build a cathode material plant for automotive battery materials in Gumi, central South Korea. LG Chem has the second largest automotive battery business in the world. They will continue to invest in increasing production in the materials field to meet the increasing demand and plans to start mass production by 2025 and will build a dedicated line for cathode materials with high nickel content, called NCMA, which can increase the output of batteries.

LG Chem’s new plant will be its fourth; it has two cathode material plants in operation in Korea and one in China. The current production capacity is 80,000 tons. LG Chemical produces its own cathode materials, separation membranes, and adhesives, and supplies them to LG Energy Solution, its battery subsidiary. LG Chem is working with Toray Industries, Inc. to secure the amount of separation membrane to be procured.

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