Production | Power Systems Research

2026-01-25

Sodium-Ion Battery Cell Cost Could Drop to $40/kWh

A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) notes that while it is still uncertain whether sodium-ion batteries (SIB) will become a disruptive alternative to lithium-ion (LIB) technology, they could offer significant cost-saving opportunities in applications such as electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.

SIBs hold a potential advantage over LIBs due to the abundance and accessibility of sodium, a material that is considerably cheaper than lithium. IRENA says the price of sodium carbonate between 2020 and 2024 ranged between $100/ton and $500/ton, while the price of lithium carbonate over the same period of time ranged between $6,000/ton and $83,000/ton.

Categories: Alternative Power, AltPwr, Batteries, Electrification, Production

Office: United States Offices

CATL Winning Shipping Electrification Race

Guy Youngs

CATL’s batteries and energy management systems are already operating in roughly 900 ships and vessels, a figure that on its own should reframe how maritime decarbonization is discussed.

Shipping is, by its nature, conservative for structural reasons tied to safety, long asset lifetimes, and unforgiving certification regimes, so deployment at this scale signals that electrification is no longer a pilot exercise but operating infrastructure.

Categories: AltPwr, Batteries, Electrification, Marine, Production

Office: United States Offices

North America Dumper/Tender Production

Carol Turner

1,300 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Golf Cars expected to be produced in North America during 2026.

Dumpers/Tenders are vehicles designed for carrying bulk material, often on building sites. Dumpers are distinguished from dump trucks by configuration: a dumper is usually an open 4-wheeled vehicle with the load skip in front of the driver, while a dump truck has its cab in front of the load.

Categories: Construction, DataPoint, Datapoint Reports, Industrial, Off-Highway Equipment, Production

Office: United States Offices

2026 Growth of 4.9% Seen in Truck Production

Chris Fisher

Medium and heavy truck production in North America is expected to increase by 4.9% this year compared with 2025. While class 8 truck production is expected to increase by 6.1% this year, the industry continues to be negatively impacted by the weight of the tariffs, low freight demand, excess truck capacity and relatively high finance rates which is expected to continue through at least the first half of the year.

With regard to the implementation of the phase 3 GHG emission regulations, it will be later in the spring before the EPA finalizes any revisions to the standards. Many in the industry believe the EPA will retain the 0.035 g/hp-hr standard along with the 2027 implementation date but cancel the extended warranty requirements which would have added significant up-front cost to the trucks.

Categories: Commercial Vehicles, North America, Production

Office: United States Offices

Marine Hydrogen Engine Project Aims for 2028

Akihiro Komuro

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine Corporation have announced the installation of new liquefied hydrogen fuel supply equipment for demonstration purposes, as well as the start of land-based operation of marine hydrogen engines.

This is part of a project commissioned by NEDO’s Green Innovation Fund/Next-Generation Ship Development Project. Three purely domestic engine manufacturers have formed a consortium: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Yanmar Power Solutions, and Japan Engine.

Categories: Hydrogen, Japan, Marine, Partnerships, Production

Office: Japan Office

South Korea’s Domestic Machine Tool Orders Cut 50%

Akihiro Komuro

The South Korean media outlet Korea Economic Daily reported that domestic machine tool orders in the second half of 2025 were about half of what they were in the same period last year.

Through November 2025, domestic orders totaled US$474.93 million (697.4 billion won), nearly a 10% decrease from the previous year. In the second half of the year (July–November), orders amounted to US$117.20 million (172.1 billion won), a 47.5% decrease compared to the same period last year US$223.30 million (327.9 billion won).

Categories: Industrial, Production

These Drivers Boost Two-Wheeler Market

Aditya Kondejkar

India’s two-wheeler market has re-entered a phase of strong recovery, marking one of the most encouraging periods for the segment in the post-pandemic cycle.

After an extended stretch of muted retail activity—driven by rural income pressure, price inflation, and delayed replacements—the current upswing reflects deeper, broad-based improvements in consumer sentiment. The revival is being powered by a mix of macroeconomic stabilization, rural liquidity improvements, urban premiumization, and targeted OEM strategies.

Source: Times of India Read The Article

Categories: Indian Subcontinent, Production, Recreational Products, Sales

Office: India Office

2025-12-09

Alternative Power Report, December 2025

Guy Youngs

In the December 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research and authored by Guy Youngs, you’ll find articles on slowing EV Sales, hydrogen power, battery development, China’s shift from diesel powered trucks to electric, and Spain’s growing emphasis on hydrogen power. Read these articles and more in the December Alternative Power Report today. PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Categories: Alternative Power, Alternative Power Reports, Commercial Vehicles, EV, Hydrogen, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production

2025-12-08

Ford Uses Revised Strategy for Success

Aditya Kondejkar

Ford Motor Company’s decision to re-enter the Indian market marks one of the most closely watched developments in the auto industry this year. After exiting mass-market operations in 2021, due to persistent losses and an increasingly competitive environment, Ford’s return signals a significant strategic recalibration driven by changing market dynamics, India’s rising manufacturing relevance, and the company’s global EV transformation agenda.

Unlike the last decade—when Ford struggled with scale, cost structures, and a limited product pipeline—its new India plan is built around focused investments, platform sharing, premium positioning, and leveraging India as an export and engineering powerhouse.

Shifting from Mass-Market to Strategic Segments
Ford’s earlier struggle stemmed largely from competing in high-volume, price-sensitive segments dominated by Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and later Tata and Kia. The new strategy avoids this path.

Categories: Indian Subcontinent, Passenger Cars, Minivans, and SUVs, Production, Sales

Office: India Office

Heli Breaks Ground for Factory in Thailand

Jack Hao

Heli Industrial Vehicles (Thailand) Co., Ltd.’s broke ground for its industrial vehicle assembly and lithium battery pack production factory at the Navaan Nong Khuang Industrial Park in Chonburi Province, Thailand Nov. 27, 2025.

To consolidate and expand its leading position in the global market, actively advance its global strategic layout, and build a global production and supply system, Anhui Heli Co., Ltd. has established a strategic partnership with Siam Motors Parts Co., Ltd., a local Thai enterprise, to jointly establish Heli Industrial Vehicles (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Through this joint venture, the two parties will co-invest in building a new manufacturing base in Thailand, creating an integrated production and sales platform for industrial vehicle complete machines and lithium battery systems.

Categories: Alternative Power, Batteries, Greater China, Industrial, Production, Thailand

Office: China Office

News: Production

South Korea’s Domestic Machine Tool Orders Cut 50%

Alternative Power Report, December 2025

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