Japanese OEMs Agree on Battery Specs for Electric Motorcycles

News: Industry Segments

2021-04-25

Japanese OEMs Agree on Battery Specs for Electric Motorcycles

Four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, said they have agreed to share the same battery specifications for electric motorcycles. By sharing the same removable replacement battery, they will increase convenience. The battery charger to be developed in the future will also be standardized.

For small scooters, it is difficult to increase the size of the battery to extend the cruising range due to the small size of the vehicle, and thus the frequency of recharging is high. The detachable battery type will be more convenient, as it can be exchanged for a fully charged battery at the battery exchange station.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: In April 2019, the four companies set up a consortium to discuss battery commonality; agreeing to commonality is an achievement. This was the minimum necessary point to reach in order to prevent confusion caused by conflicting specifications, such as whether to use VHS or Beta. In addition, there had never been a case in the past where four companies had worked together to accomplish something, and in this sense, it was probably significant.

Standards have been agreed upon for battery structure, characteristics, protection circuits, communication protocols for charging, and stations that will serve as exchange infrastructure. However, the size, weight, capacity, and shape of the batteries are outside the scope of the cooperative area and will be handled by each company, in other words, a competitive area.

The agreement is related to replaceable batteries (and replacement stations) for first-class mopeds (under 50cc) and second-class motorcycles (under 125cc). As for the electrification of medium and large motorcycles, all four companies will continue to develop technologies and products as before.

In my opinion, it has taken two years to build this consensus, which is far too long. Taiwan’s Gogoro, KIMCO’s Ionex, and others have already released many EV bikes, and recharging stations have become widespread, especially in urban areas, and the bikes are already functioning as a part of our daily lives. As international competition intensifies, there will be more and more cases where the traditional Japanese sense of speed will not be able to cope. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research

Brazil OEMs Forecast CE Sales Growth of 20% in 2021

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Volvo CE and Case Construction are aligned to affirm CE sales in Brazil will grow 20% in 2021 despite of the effects of the pandemic. With 18% growth of sales in Q1 2021 over the same quarter of 2020, CE executives are optimistic about full year sales.

Source: M&T      Read The Article

PSR Analysis: First quarter of 2020 was a strong sales quarter over 2019 because the pandemic impact was not present until March 16, 2020.

This makes the result of Q1 2021 18% above Q1 2020 really strong and makes executives optimistic about FY 2021 results. In addition to that, the foundation of the segment is robust, with the construction industry activity growing because of strong housing demand, infrastructure bids being restarted and mining growing significantly.    PSR

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

MWM Launches Family of NG Engines

MWM Engines and Power Gen, part of the Navistar group, has announced the launch of a new line of Acteon Engines powered by Natural Gas. The engine family has been developed in Brazil and features 4 cylinders and 6 cylinders with 4.8L and 7.2L displacement.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: With this move, MWM meets Power Gen customers demand or NG powered Gen Sets and increases portfolio to attend OEMs aiming to launch NG powered vehicles and equipment without investment in Engines Development. As NG becomes a competitive and cleaner fuel alternative for Brazil, MWM put the bets on the right place to attend better the customers demand. PSR

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

MAN Marine Engines Certified To Operate Globally

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

MAN Energy Solutions, one of the leading marine engine manufacturers in the range between 730 and 2000 hp (5370 to 1397 kW), says that all of its engines now comply to the globally required major current emissions standards.

All engine models from i8-730 to V12-2000 are certified with the US EPA Tier III, the EU IMO Tier II and RCD 2013/53/EC. The current China Marine Recreational Stage I standard has been upgraded to the Stage II based on the US Tier III standard requirements.

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NA Powersports EV Update

Read the complete report in April PowerTALK™ News

EDITOR’S NOTE. Power Systems Research tracks the global trend of electrification of industrial equipment. This is one of a series of reports on these trends.

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Polaris INDUSTRIES, Minneapolis, is planning to debut a new electric Ranger utility side-by-side in December 2021. The Ranger will be the first electric vehicle Polaris has developed through their partnership with Zero Motorcycles. 

The electric Ranger is the first product in Polaris’s long-term plan to accelerate its leadership in powersports electrification. Production will take place in Polaris’s Huntsville, AL facility.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), which owns popular brands such as Can-Am, Rotax, Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo, plans to offer electric models in each of its product lines by the end of 2026. The company is investing $300 million in product development and production facilities.

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2021-04-21

Mining World Moscow 2021 Reopens Without Major Exhibitors

 MOSCOW (April 21, 2021)–After only a seven-month break, the Mining World Russia trade show has started again, without many major exhibitors. The last Mining World event was conducted in October 2020.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

This year’s fair started April 20 in the same place – the Crocus Expo Center Moscow. There were no significant changes since the last event. The amount of occupied space was similar, and the number of participants was about the same (167 companies versus 176 last time).

However, the number of countries has increased significantly – to 20. There were exhibitors from Australia, USA, Canada, U.K., India, China and so on. Large machine samples, including crawler drills, have been brought by Turkish companies. Germany is presenting a national exposition at the fair (in spite of pessimistic announcements made by German top officials regarding coal mining recently). Belorussian Belaz also presented at the show.   

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2021-04-20

DATAPOINT: 2021 US ATV Production, 301,000 Units

301,000 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of ATVs to be produced in Mexico and the U.S. in 2021.

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 28% of total units produced, Polaris Industries leads in production four-wheeled ATVs in North America.  In second and third positions are Honda and Yamaha Motor with 22% and 19%, respectively.

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2021-04-10

PSR Partners With HDMA In Webinar

Current and Future Supply Chain Concerns For Medium and Heavy Vehicles Will Be Discussed

Erik Martin
Erik Martin
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Power Systems Research will produce a one-hour webinar with the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) discussing current and future supply chain concerns, especially as they affect Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles. 

When? Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

What? Future areas of supply chain concerns, secondary effects of logistic and shipping issues, and current economic conditions and demand drivers.

How much? FREE for HDMA members; $100 for non-members

The scheduled presenters include

  • Chris Fisher – Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst, Power Systems Research
  • Erik Martin – Director, Asia Region, Power Systems Research
  • Richard Anderson – Director, Market Research & Analysis, HDMA

How do I register? By clicking below!

Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible using the REGISTER NOW button on the HDMA website at www.hdma.org. If you are not a PSR Client or HDMA Member, an individual registration is $100.

Hope you can participate. During the session, we’ll discuss the future areas of supply chain concerns, secondary effects of logistic and shipping issues, and current economic conditions and demand drivers, especially as they apply to Medium and Heavy Vehicles. 

Richard Anderson will present the latest findings from his current PULSE member survey, and the session will conclude with a participant Q&A. PSR

2021-03-23

DATAPOINT: Global Snowmobiles, 2021 Production, 107,250 Units

107,250 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Snowmobiles to be produced in Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. in 2021.

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.

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2021-03-20

KAMAZ JV Will Invest in Mass Production of Equipment

The joint venture of KAMAZ and ZF Friedrichshafen AG is going to establish mass production of 12-speed automated gearboxes Traxon for trucks, buses and special machines with 44-80 ton capacity. At the moment, the JV is offering mechanical transmissions only. According to the plan, the production of gearboxes will be localized on 24%, power steering, by 10%, suspensions, by 40%. New products will be supplied to KAMAZ trucks, as well as to other OEMs – MAZ-MAN, Ural, Isuzu, etc.

The total budget of the new project will be US$ 15 million (1.1 billion Rubles). About half of it will be provided by the Industry Development fund as a privileged loan.

The privileged loan will be provided by the fund on 1-3% interest rates for up to seven years.

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: There is a long history of co-operation between KAMAZ and German ZF. Now, with the State support, they are going to offer to the market brand new equipment, which was not available on domestic trucks before.  PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant – Russia Operations with Power Systems Research