-
PowerTALK™, April 2026
Download PDFIn the April 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about reports from CONEXPO 2026, Alternative Power News, and DataPoint, plus reports on Iran and Tariffs, BYD Developments, and more.
IN THIS ISSUE
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- A “Failed Experiment”? Biofuels Under Spotlight
- US Battery Recycler Lands $1.1B Metals Refining Deal
- When Fossil Fuel Supplies Falter, Interest In Renewables Increases
- Oil Crisis Makes Drivers Reconsider Electric
DATAPOINT: 2026 Aerator Production
GLOBAL REPORT: 2026 Global MHCV Production Gains Seen
EUROPE REPORT:- Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment
- KTM Completes Strategic Realignment and Leap into Premium EVs
SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Import Tax Decision on Buses Is Reversed
- Indian Preet Enters Brazil With Tractor Manufacturing Plant
- Selic Interest Rate Cut Has Limited Impact in Auto Market
- VWCO Tests B100 Soybean Biodiesel in Engines
- GAC Plans Vehicle Production in Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen Engines
SOUTH KOREA REPORT: HD Construction Sets Electric Safety Training System
PHILIPINES REPORT: Power Shortages Boost Reliance on Generators
CHINA REPORT: Zhangxue Demonstrates Strength of “Made in China”
INDIA REPORT: Ashok Leyland Takes Major Step Toward EV Leadership -
Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen Engines
Akihiro Komuro Yanmar Power Solutions is advancing the development of engines that are compatible with next-generation fuels. In anticipation of future increased production volumes of marine and land-based engines, the company has acquired a site in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture.
The new plant will be used to conduct test runs of marine hydrogen engines and to reorganize and strengthen production capabilities, including those of existing plants. The new plant is scheduled to begin operations about March 2029.
In the marine industry, there are ongoing efforts to develop and commercialize decarbonization technologies with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Leveraging its expertise in engine development and production, Yanmar Power Solutions plans to develop powertrains compatible with next-generation fuels, including hydrogen, methanol and ammonia, and establish production systems to support them.
-
Power Shortages Boost Reliance on Generators
Akihiro Komuro Amid rising demand during the dry season and the risk of power plant outages, concerns are mounting in the Philippines over tight electricity supplies. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has noted that prices on the Wholesale Electricity Supply Market (WESM) could increase by approximately 4 pesos per kWh.
This increase is due to a combination of factors, including high temperatures, the shutdown of some power plants, and rising fuel costs.
These conditions are also causing instability in the power supply at the regional level. For instance, Boracay’s supply capacity has not kept pace with the surge in electricity demand fueled by the tourism recovery, prompting the use of generators in some areas. Although transmission operators aim to avoid power outages through future infrastructure improvements, reliance on backup power sources continues to some extent.
-
Zhangxue Demonstrates Strength of “Made in China”
Jack Hao China’s Zhangxue Motorcycles team emerged as a dark horse in the 2026 FIM Super-bike World Championship (WSBK) Portuguese Round last month with its independently developed 820RR-RS race machine clinching back-to-back victories in both World SSP class races, dominating the field by 3.685 seconds.
This triumph marked the first-ever championship title for a Chinese motorcycle brand in this premier competition and also shattered the 29-year monopoly held by European, American, and Japanese manufacturers since the class’s inception in 1997.
Observers noted that this outcome demonstrates the rapid growth and technological breakthroughs of China’s motorcycle industry.
Some industry insiders believe that this breakthrough shattered the long-standing monopoly of European, American, and Japanese brands in this competition, and also signals that China’s motorcycle industry now can compete head-to-head with the world’s premier brands.
-
PowerTALK™, April 2026
In the April 2026 issue of PowerTALK News you can read articles about reports from CONEXPO 2026, Alternative Power News, and DataPoint, plus reports on Iran and Tariffs, BYD Developments, and more.
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- A “Failed Experiment”? Biofuels Under Spotlight
- US Battery Recycler Lands $1.1B Metals Refining Deal
- When Fossil Fuel Supplies Falter, Interest In Renewables Increases
- Oil Crisis Makes Drivers Reconsider Electric
DATAPOINT: 2026 Aerator Production
GLOBAL REPORT: 2026 Global MHCV Production Gains Seen
EUROPE REPORT:- Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment
- KTM Completes Strategic Realignment and Leap into Premium EVs
SOUTH AMERICA/BRAZIL REPORT:
- Import Tax Decision on Buses Is Reversed
- Indian Preet Enters Brazil With Tractor Manufacturing Plant
- Selic Interest Rate Cut Has Limited Impact in Auto Market
- VWCO Tests B100 Soybean Biodiesel in Engines
- GAC Plans Vehicle Production in Brazil
JAPAN REPORT: Yanmar To Build Plant for Marine Hydrogen EnginesSOUTH KOREA REPORT: HD Construction Sets Electric Safety Training SystemPHILIPINES REPORT:…
-
Alternative Power Report, April 2026
Download PDFThe April 2026 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, features articles on problems with biofuels in Europe and how drivers consider EVs again. Read these articles and more in the April 2026 issue of Alternative Power Report today. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
-
North America Aerators Production
Sign-up for DataPoint Reports6,200 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Aerators expected to be produced in North America during 2026.
Aerators are machines that have tines for soil penetration. The process involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots.
Engine-powered aerators are used to combat soil compaction in lawns and turf by creating holes (plugs or spikes) that allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep down to the grass roots, leading to healthier, stronger growth, better drainage, and reduced thatch, essential for heavily trafficked areas or tough soils. These powerful machines make it feasible to aerate large areas efficiently, delivering benefits that surpass manual methods for serious lawn care or professional use.
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.
Trends. In 2025, production of Aerators in North America decreased nearly 3%. However, production is expected to gain 4% in 2026. The gain is attributed to healthy lawn needs that include parks, residential, commercial/professional landscaping and sport fields. Expect production to increase by 10% by 2035. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research
PowerTALK Reports
TPI
PSR Truck Production Index
Free quarterly global commercial vehicle production report.
Alternative Power Report
The latest EV and power source news including batteries and fuel cells with analysis by PSR experts.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research’s analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe View Archive
OE Link™ Offers
Global
Coverage
OE Link™ database provides OEM products, both On-Road and Off-Road, in 12 regions.
Current Reports
Download complimentary reports that show the type of information available from Power Systems Research.
PowerTALK News
Stay informed each month with insights from Power Systems Research analysts working around the world as they identify and comment on important news items in the company’s monthly newsletter.
Subscribe