2025-07-27
Researchers at McGill University in Canada have increased a battery’s energy density by adding a rare-earth metal to an anode.
The scientists added a small amount of neodymium (Nd) to the anode in a bid to increase its energy density without compromising safety. This resulted in a 19% increase in energy density.
2025-07-26
Chinese machinery now accounts for 30% of Brazil’s market, up from 18% a decade ago. The agricultural sector, once dominated by local firms, now sees 13.2% of its machines coming from China. Abimaq warns of risks to domestic manufacturers, including loss of market and post-sales service challenges.
Despite concerns, 2025 shows recovery: agricultural machinery sales rose 22.8% through May, construction equipment 17.3%. Abimaq, the Machinery OEM association, urges government support and “equal” competition conditions.
Source: Autodata Read The Article
PSR Analysis. This market rebound in 2025 is primarily driven by favorable weather conditions and government support for small farmers. However, high interest rates and limited credit for large producers pose risks. Meanwhile, Chinese machines are gaining market share, rising from 9.7% to 13.2% in agriculture and 30% overall, raising concerns about post-sales support and declining local industry competitiveness. Without policy changes, foreign content—especially from China—will likely continue displacing domestic production long term. PSR
Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research
If current trends continue, Brazil is set to once again become Mercedes-Benz’s largest truck market worldwide, surpassing Germany as it did in 2023. This outlook was confirmed by Achim Puchert, global CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and former head of the Brazilian operation from 2022 to 2024.
Mitsubishi Logisnext plans to increase the electrification rate of its forklifts from approximately 60% to 90% by 2035. The company has its roots in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and it specializes in high-output engine vehicles. However, the global electrification rate has already surpassed 70%, with Chinese companies leading the way in technology. To catch up, the company is introducing new models in China that align with the trend toward electrification.
“The price of lithium-ion batteries has dropped, which has led to increased customer demand for electric forklifts,” said President Maeno of Mitsubishi Logisnext. He highlighted the need to expand the company’s product lineup to meet market needs. As part of this strategy, the company plans to introduce a locally produced electric vehicle model in China by the 2025 fiscal year. The key feature is thorough “localization.” The company has adopted locally sourced batteries, motors, hydraulic components, and other parts to reduce prices to levels comparable to those of Chinese manufacturers. Until now, the company has sold vehicles developed in Japan but has struggled against low-priced local competitors. In China, battery prices have fallen rapidly due to the increased popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). Mitsubishi Logisnext has adopted a “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” strategy to counter this trend. Depending on sales performance, the company plans to expand into markets such as Southeast Asia.
South Korea is collaborating with the government and private sector to strengthen its ties with the U.S. in the shipbuilding industry. Major companies, such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, are establishing bases in the U.S., and the government is supporting efforts to train individuals. They are taking advantage of the Trump administration’s push to revive the shipbuilding industry to gain a share of the market for building and repairing military ships. South Korea aims to catch up with China, which holds over half of the global shipbuilding market share, by leveraging its alliance with the US.
In late June, HD Hyundai emphasized its partnership with Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO), a U.S. shipbuilding company. The two companies plan to build LNG-fueled container ships together by 2028. ECO has five commercial shipbuilding bases in the US and specializes in offshore support vessels (OSVs); however, orders have been sluggish in recent years.
China National Heavy Duty Truck Group and Toyota Motor Corporation signed a strategic cooperation agreement on April 25, at Toyota’s headquarters in Nagoya, Japan.
Toyota Motor Corporation possesses world-leading hydrogen fuel cell technology, and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group is a leading enterprise in China’s commercial vehicle industry. The hydrogen fuel cell tractor jointly developed by the two parties has already been delivered to the market in batches. In the future, the two sides will establish more extensive cooperation in the fields of cooperative research and development, demonstration and operation, promotion and application, and business model innovation of hydrogen fuel commercial vehicles, and work together to create a new ecosystem for the zero-carbon logistics industry chain.
Source: CNHTC Read The Article
2025-07-24
In the July 2025 issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research, you’ll find articles on Repsol canceling its 200MW green hydrogen project, Citing technical and economic barriers; Ethiopia updating its ICE vehicle import ban, including SKD and CKD kits; the discovery of a rare-earth metal that increases battery energy density, and the discovery of a new zinc-ion battery that promises a longer lifespan. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
The Electric & Hybrid Marine Exhibition 2025 held June 24 – 26, 2025, featured increased corporate collaboration and demonstrated a focus on sustainability, the adoption of immersive technologies, and enhanced connectivity.
These development trends were built on a collaborative approach to maritime electrification and decarbonization and reflect incremental improvements as well as a strategic shift toward smarter, greener, and more autonomous marine operations.
The show was held at the RAI Amsterdam complex and lasted three days. About 200 exhibitors participated, including leading companies in electric and hybrid marine technology, propulsion, and charging infrastructure.
Representatives of Power Systems Research attended the show to collect data on new products and to talk with exhibitors and attendees about industry trends.
3,000 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Crawlers expected to be produced in the U.S. in 2025.
There are two types of Crawlers: a Crawler Excavator and a Crawler Loader.
A Crawler Excavator is a self-propelled crawler mounted on heavy equipment that is designed to dig or move large objects and is classified by its mode of locomotion. The main function of a Crawler Excavator is to dig holes or trenches for construction related activities.
A Crawler Loader is a piece of mobile construction equipment used to load materials; it’s used primarily in tough, off-road terrain. It’s similar to a wheel loader, except it has treads instead of wheels.
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. PSR
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Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research
2025-06-22
The Alternative Power Report produced monthly by Power Systems Research reports on development of alternative power sources, legislation related to these sources, and sales and production of EV vehicles. The June 2025 issue contains articles on hydrogen fuel cells being used in trucks and passenger cars, the development of sodium batteries for EVs, a new report by the IEA Global that shows the U.S. falling behind on EVs, and a report on critical minerals for clean energy that are being concentrated in a few countries. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
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