News
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Record-Low EV Battery Prices Recorded in 2023
Thanks to a variety of factors (mostly base economics), lithium-ion battery packs are at record low prices. After dropping 14%, they are down to $139/kWh vs 2022. Prices for key battery metals, especially lithium, have fallen sharply since January, due to significant growth in production capacity in all parts of the battery value chain, from raw materials and components to cells and battery packs.
The steep price drop and record low average price come on the heels of price increases in 2022 that had brought battery prices back to 2020 levels. 10 Years ago, battery packs (including cells) cost $780 per kwh. These figures represent an average across multiple battery end-uses.
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CATL Creates Fast Charging Electric Car Skateboard
CATL, the worlds largest battery manufacturer, is not waiting for customers to come knocking on its door to buy batteries for their electric models. It has created what it calls its CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis, a skateboard design that incorporates all the bits and pieces needed to make a fully functional electric car
Source: CleanTechnica: Read The Article
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High Energy Density, Cobalt-Free Lithium-Ion Battery Developed
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

Guy Youngs Today’s electric vehicles are predominantly powered by nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries. However, the inclusion of cobalt in this type of batteries has been considered problematic due to its anticipated scarcity as well as the associated supply chain risks related to its single source, human rights and mining practices.
Japanese scientists have developed a high energy density, cobalt-free lithium-ion battery that yields about 60% greater energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries for an equivalent weight and volume and sustains unprecedented 1,000 cycles.
Source: PV Magazine: Read The Article
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Electrify Where It Makes Sense
NORTH AMERICA REPORT

Chris Fisher Energy and the environment are the issues that will redefine the trucking industry over the next decade. That’s what Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told a room full of industry experts in November at the annual Cummins-Meritor and Pressure Systems International fleet technology event held in San Antonio, Texas.
But he said the timeline the industry has placed on the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and to achieve zero emissions are “completely unachievable.”
“It takes time. We’re not going to get there starting in 2030. We’re not going to meet that by 2035. It ain’t gonna happen,” Spear said, “and when it fails, it’s not only going to be embarrassing, it’s going to cost a lot of people their jobs. To me, that’s just unacceptable.”
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Outdoor Recreation Adds $1Trillion to U.S. Economy

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently released economic data from the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account for the year 2022, showing the largest economic impact in its history and outdoor recreation’s economic impact on the U.S. economy.
These new figures reveal that outdoor recreation generates $1.1 trillion in economic output (2.2% of GDP), 4.98 million jobs and comprises 3.2% of U.S. employees.
From 2021 to 2022 the GDP contribution from outdoor recreation increased by 4.8% and employment increased by 7.4%, according to the report.
Outdoor recreation remains a significant sector of the U.S. economy. A wide range of activities—from hiking, boating, and hunting to golf and tennis—result in outdoor recreation jobs in a wide variety of industries
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Kobelco Expands European Headquarters
EUROPE AMERICA REPORT

Emiliano Marzoli Brussels, Belgium – Kobelco Construction Machinery, a Japanese firm, is expanding its European headquarters. The firm is relocating its headquarters from Almere to a larger new purpose-built facility in Lelystad.
Over the last 10 years, Kobelco has expanded its European dealer network, and therefore needed a new facility to accommodate the increase in demand for parts and support for end users and dealers.
The new facility will be made up of three main buildings, including warehouse facilities, training center and three-floor office complex. There will also be a demonstration field for Kobelco construction machinery.
Source: World Highways Read The Article
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VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January

Fabio Ferraresi Volkswagen Trucks and Bus announced that it will return in January from collective vacations to resume production in two full shifts, marking a return to a pre-April status.
Since April, alternating worker groups have managed the production line and remote work, with workers undergoing training courses during off-duty periods. This measure was essential due to a 37.8% decline in truck production and a 35.2% decrease in bus chassis production from January to October.
From January onwards, production will resume at full capacity, assuming positive market expectations.
Source: AutoData Read The Article
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Brazil Off Highway Machine Sales Continue To Decline
Agricultural machinery sales totaled 49,500 units through October, down 11.8% from the same period last year. In October, 4,900 units were sold, a 25.8% decline from 2022 and 17.7% below September.
Year-to-date, 25,400 machines were sold, a 24.2% decrease from 2022. October sales were 2,300 units, down 31.6% from October 2022 and 13.8% from September.
Agricultural machinery exports through October were 7,600 units, down 13.1% from 2022. October shipments totaled 733 units, a 37.4% decrease from the previous year but a 7% increase from September.
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Argentina Vehicle Production Grew in November
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
After a slowdown in October, Argentina’s vehicle production rebounded in November, reaching 56,500 units—an 8.9% increase from the previous month and 6% higher than November 2022.
Yearly production stands at 573,700vehicles, up 14.8% from the same period last year.
Exports rose 1.5% in the eleven months of this year, totaling 304,000 units. November’s 30,300 shipments increased by 6.4% from October but decreased by 3.1% compared to November 2022.
Registrations for the…
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Honda To End Mass-Produced EV “Honda e”
FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Honda plans to end production of the Honda e EV by January 2024. This is the company’s first mass-produced EV, but sales have been sluggish, falling short of the annual domestic sales target of 1,000 units. Going forward, the company will focus on commercial light EVs, which will be launched in the spring of 2024, to increase the electrification rate of the vehicles it sells.
The Honda e was launched in 2020. The vehicle is priced at 4.95 million yen and has a range of 259 km (WLTC mode). Sales in Europe have already been discontinued. Sales in Japan will also be discontinued once stocks run out.
The Honda e was not originally intended to be a high-volume model, but it did not meet its sales target. The company plans to expand the model lineup, starting with the N-VAN e:, a light electric vehicle to be launched next year.
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