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Both Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cars Needed
When discussions take place about Alternative power systems, (hydrogen fuel cells or battery electric engines), experts often fall into one camp or the other.
Proponents of each technology have been vocal in spotlighting the benefits they have to provide. Often, they will compare battery electric to hydrogen fuel cell performances, particularly when it comes to vehicles. However, experts are now coming to the conclusion that it’s not really a matter of deciding which technology will win out and which will disappear. Instead, each form of clean power will find its place, as each has strengths in specific areas. The main points of debate are Efficiency, Infrastructure and Environmental impact.
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EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs
In her annual State of The EU address on Sept. 13, 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Chinese manufacturers are dumping Chinese EVs on EU customers that are priced below what domestic manufacturers charge.
She suggested that the root cause of the problem is the heavy subsidies provided to Chinese automakers by the central government — subsidies that allow them to sell Chinese EVs at artificially low prices to the detriment of domestic companies. If so, she warned the EU would consider imposing new tariffs on Chinese cars to level the playing field.
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PowerTALK™, October 2023
Download PDFChina’s growing success with EV sales in Europe is causing EU officials to consider placing tariffs on Chinese EV imports to balance the playing field. Read about this and more in the October issue of PowerTALK News.
IN THIS ISSUE
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- Tesla Tests Diner with Theater and Supercharger
- Lithium Deposit In Extinct Nevada Volcano Could Be World’s Largest
- Both Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cars Needed
- EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs
GLOBAL:
- Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook
- E-Motorcycle Product Report
DATAPOINT: NA Scooters/Minibikes/Mopeds
EUROPE: 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:- Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production
- Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed
- Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo
JAPAN: Komatsu Plans Electric Excavator Developed with Honda
MALAYSIA: Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand
CHINA: FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
INDIA: Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility -
DataPoint: North America Production of Scooters
Download PDFScooters are motorized 2-wheeled vehicles used primarily for recreational.
Production climbed sharply in 2022, increasing by 24,686 units, or 14.6%, from 2021. We expect production to climb in 2023 as well, growing by about 3,725 units or 2%.
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.
Market Share: With 58% of total units produced, Honda leads in production of Scooters in NA. In second position is Italika with 42%. Third is US-based Go-Ped with 225 units.
Applications:
- Honda manufactures scooters that include models Cruising 125, DIO110, Elite Series, ADV150, PCX150, Ruckus & Metropolitan. NAVI (motorcycle crossover) produced at the Tapukara plant in Rajasthan.
- Italika manufactures a complete line up of scooters (motoneta) for industry related needs.
- Go-Ped manufactures a variety of gas scooters (12 models plus 2 electric).
Trends: In 2022, production of Scooters in NA increased 14.6%. It is expected that production will gain nearly 2% in 2023. Despite Honda having record lows in 2020, production at Honda has rallied in subsequent years, as it has at Italika. Honda reported 2020 sales of only 47,851 units, down more than 5 million units or 24% from 2019, but rallied in 2021 to post scooter sales of 90,128 units.
Increased demand for efficient and eco-friendly models will boost the electric scooter market along with the threat of rising gas prices. Not only are scooters convenient and offer independence, but they also provide faster commutes as opposed to using other modes of transportation; electric models are also extremely popular. Expect production of scooters to increase 15% by 2025.
Electric Units:
2021: 3622
2022: 4056
2023: 4039
Bell Custom Cycles 13 *
Go-Ped Werx 56
Z Electric Vehicle 3987 *
2022: * Exclusively electric
In 2022, production of Electric Scooters in NA increased nearly 12% over 2021. Production is expected to be flat in 2023. PSR
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research
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PowerTALK™, September 2023
Download PDFRead about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.
IN THIS ISSUE
- ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
- California Building Hydrogen Refueling Network for Cars
- New Zinc-Air Batteries Challenge Lithium Batteries
- The Truth About EV Battery Recycling
- Australian Mining — Can It Power All The New EVs?
- GLOBAL:
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Update
- E-Bike Market Analysis
- DATAPOINT: NA Tractor/Loader/Backhoes (TLBs)
- BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:
- Companies Support Fleet Renewal Program
- Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023
- BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment
- JAPAN: Target of 300,000 EV Chargers by 2030 Planned
- SOUTH KOREA: Battery Companies Increase Sales
- VIETNAM: Ridesharing Giant Gojek Converts To EVs
- CHINA: Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business
- INDIA: Bus Sector Bounces Back; EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth
- ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
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Alternative Power Report, September 2023
Download PDFThe September issue of PSR Alternative Power Report includes articles on California’s plan to add hydrogen refueling stations–even though there are only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars on the roads–plus articles on wind-powered ships and advances in battery development.
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Two New Approaches To Wind-Powered Ships
Ships haven’t had sails for generations, but the idea is gaining new supporters as shipping companies work to lower their carbon emissions.
Globalization has spawned a tremendous increase in the number of ships crossing the world’s oceans. Ships the size of small cities haul thousands of containers and tankers as large as aircraft carriers transport millions of gallons of oil from one continent to another. Many of them run on bunker oil — a gelatinous mass of whatever is left over after the refining process is over. The stuff is so thick, it needs to be heated in order to flow and when it is burned, it leaves behind sulfurous clouds of carbon dioxide so thick they can be tracked by satellites.
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The Hydrogen Stream: Hydrogen Buses Less Efficient than Battery Models
Eurac Research scientists have analyzed data from 21 fuel cell electric buses (FCEB) and battery electric buses (BEB) in Italy, comparing efficiency, consumption, temperature sensitivity, distances, and cost, and they discovered that Hydrogen buses’ tank-to-wheel (TTW) efficiency is lower than battery electric buses, indicating higher consumption variation for BEBs.
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Daimler’s RIZON Electric Truck Feels like Driving a Car
Daimler recently launched a class 4-5 medium-duty electric truck brand, RIZON, and Electrek got a chance to kick the tires and drive one around. They were impressed at how well it drives (for an 18k GVWR vehicle) and how comfortable it feels like it would be on long shifts.
Rizon is a new brand from Daimler Trucks focusing entirely on zero-emissions in the class 4-5 space. Trucks of this size don’t require commercial driver’s licenses, and you’re more likely to see them around your neighborhood, doing local delivery tasks, equipment rentals, moving businesses, and the like. So, it’s nice to have clean, quiet operation instead of noisy and stinky diesel vehicles.
PowerTALK Reports