2025-01-27
The number of EVs sold across Europe fell by 3% to 3m during 2024, according to the latest data. This has come after the withdrawal of government tax breaks triggered a collapse in sales across Germany. The drop in Europe compared to a 40% surge in China, where 11m EVs were purchased. Sales across North America also rose 9% to 1.8m.
2024-10-15
There’s plenty of news on battery development of EVs in the October 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research. You can also read about VW’s plans to restructure its labor force, as well as several articles on hydrogen power. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
2024-10-14
The European Union has approved a tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles, according to the report from Agence France-Presse. Politicians and industry representatives from several European countries had previously expressed opposition to the European Commission’s investigation, and China also condemned the EU’s move to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as a typical act of protectionism.
Several European diplomats told Agence France-Presse that despite strong opposition led by Germany, the EU still approved the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. According to the report, 10 countries, including France and Italy, supported the imposition of a tariff of up to 35.3% on top of the existing 10% tariff. Five countries, including Germany and Hungary, voted against, and another 12 countries abstained.
2024-10-12
Volkswagen Group has let it be known that it might need to shutter two factories in Germany. It also indicated it might need to end the “guaranteed employment” policy it has adhered to for decades that is designed to ensure workers there will always be a job for them within the Volkswagen family. The news has rocked the company and has been described as an earthquake by some in the German media
Layoffs, which are common in the industry, are not the Volkswagen way, but now it appears that this promise is in danger as the company struggles to adapt to the current market situation.
Source: Clean Technica Read The Article
PSR Analysis: There is much criticism of VW’s failure to grasp the opportunities presented by the electric and hybrid car markets. There is also a lot of criticism about those EV models that VW does build. This coupled with the fact that every fifth electric vehicle sold in Europe today is produced in China, means that the German auto industry is now in crisis and what it does next may determine if it survives. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
A European research consortium has produced a prototype solid-state battery using a new manufacturing process that reportedly achieves high energy densities and can be implemented on modern lithium-ion battery production lines.
The “SOLiDIFY” consortium, composed of 14 European research institutes and partners, developed a battery with a pouch cell with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, compared to 800 Wh/L in standard lithium-ion batteries
2024-09-23
For more information on the marine market, visit MarineLink, the Power Systems Research proprietary marine products database.
More than 600 exhibitors from the marine pleasure industry showed off their latest models of boats, yachts, marine equipment and other products and services at the 47th annual Cannes Yachting Festival, Europe’s biggest in-water event, just closed its doors. The event ran Sept. 10-15.
An estimated 50,000 visitors attended the festival and got an excellent note for organization from all participants and visitors. The next year’s edition will be held Sept. 9-14, 2025.
The electric marine market has been very dynamic in the last 10 years and electric products and accessories were very popular at the show. Investments in research and development of new technologies and their implementation into boats have been extremely high.
2024-08-27
DEUTZ and Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division have completed the transaction for DEUTZ to take over the sales and service activities for various Daimler Truck industrial engines. The transaction relates specifically to engines with displacements from 5 to 16 litres and power output of up to 480 kW.
Under the completed transaction, DEUTZ will take over distribution of the MTU Classic model series and the MTU 1000 to 1500 engine series, which are based on three Daimler Truck engine platforms. These engines are used in a range of off-highway applications, mainly in the agricultural machinery and construction equipment sectors.
The Danish A.P. Moller & Maersk, the second largest container shipping company in the world, has set a goal to reach zero-emission container shipping by 2040. The Maersk ambitious objective is much advanced compared to the global shipping industry objective to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to fight against 3% of the global greenhouse emission that they are responsible for.
The program initiated in 2021 aims to renew the fleet of 707 container ships, 304 owned and 403 long-time-chartered, with dual-fuel vessels and propulsion systems. Contracts with different partners and suppliers are in the process of being signed. The giant has chosen to combine methanol and liquified gas bio-LNG for the propulsion systems of its renewed green fleet. The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined over time considering the latest regulatory requirements and green fuels supply.
2024-07-15
The European Commission told automakers (July 11, 2024) it would impose extra duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric cars starting in July 2024, risking retaliation from Beijing, which called the move protectionist. Less than a month after Washington announced plans to quadruple duties for Chinese EVs to 100%, Brussels said it would set additional tariffs ranging from 17.4% for BYD to 38.1% for SAIC, on top of the standard 10% car duty. It said this was to combat excessive subsidies
it’s worth noting that commercial EV sales are soaring. PSR
Source: Reuters (via MSN): Read The Article
PSR Analysis: On the face of it, this seems like the start of a trade war with Chinese automakers demanding retaliatory tariffs on European cars, however several EU member states have already started to back track (led by Germany) so it remains to be seen as to what the eventual outcome will be.
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
Audi said it intends to “restructure” its Forest production site in Brussels, a move that clearly could end with the site closing by 2027. Production of the model Q8 e-tron, the only model produced in Forest, will end sooner than was expected. Audi Brussels manufactured about 53,000 cars in 2023, but the sale of the large Q8 car with a high price tag (the catalog price starts at 86,000 EUR) does not meet market demand in Europe.
The possible closure could put more than 1500 employees out of work. The full production of the electric SUV Q8 e-tron will be relocated to Mexico and China where production costs will be lower than in Europe.
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