European EV Buses Under Pressure

News: Europe

2021-05-24

European EV Buses Under Pressure

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

After three years, Alstom is halting their EV bus production.  By the end of 2021, the production lines will be stopped, and unless a buyer will take over, most of the operations will be shut down.  Twenty employees will remain active to assure maintenance for the existing vehicles in operations with RATP. 

Just two years ago, Alstom was one of the winners of a contract to supply electric buses to the French operator.  However, this was not enough to maintain profitability.  

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PSR Analysis: We believe that electric buses have a great future, particularly in Europe.  According to our database CV Link™, alternative drive buses, including Hybrid, Fuel Cells and Battery Electric, will grow at a 22% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. 

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2021-04-25

MAN Marine Engines Certified To Operate Globally

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

MAN Energy Solutions, one of the leading marine engine manufacturers in the range between 730 and 2000 hp (5370 to 1397 kW), says that all of its engines now comply to the globally required major current emissions standards.

All engine models from i8-730 to V12-2000 are certified with the US EPA Tier III, the EU IMO Tier II and RCD 2013/53/EC. The current China Marine Recreational Stage I standard has been upgraded to the Stage II based on the US Tier III standard requirements.

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2021-03-23

DATAPOINT: Global Snowmobiles, 2021 Production, 107,250 Units

107,250 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Snowmobiles to be produced in Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. in 2021.

This 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.

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2021-03-19

100% Green Hydrogen Powered Ferry Planned by 2027

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

The European Union’s private and public sectors are working hard on developing projects that could accelerate the transition from the fossil fuel powered to the zero-emission shipping.

One of the leading joint efforts is the project created by Danish ferry operator DFDS, Swiss-Sweden giant ABB, Danish fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Power Systems Europe, the global leader in zero-emission e-mobility Hexagon Purus, wind power generator Orsted, Lloyds Register and Danish Ship Finance. 

The project is designed to build a 100% green hydrogen powered ferry by 2027.

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2021-02-22

Volvo Penta: Sustainability First , Zero-Emissions by 2050

Sources: Volvo Penta Press Releases, IBI News, Boating, Trade Only Today

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

Volvo Group announced that the company will focus on sustainable solutions in all business areas, from trucks and buses through construction to its marine division. The group objective is to become a zero-emission company by 2050, at the latest.

As part of this changeover, the Volvo Penta division, the world leader in marine engine and propulsion systems, is cutting its outboard engines production and sales. This reverses a major acquisition the company made in 2017.

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2021-01-25

Komatsu to Sell Electric Construction Equipment in Europe

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Komatsu plans to release a battery-powered compact excavator that emits no exhaust gas in Europe in 2022. The company will also promote the quietness of the product and expects to use it in residential areas. Hitachi Construction Machinery will also double orders for electric excavators in fiscal 2021 compared to the previous year. Following the trend in the automobile industry, competition in the field of electric construction machinery is now in full swing.

The compact excavator to be launched by Komatsu will use lithium-ion batteries that are lightweight and can operate for a long time. It uses a motor instead of an engine, making less noise and emitting no exhaust gas. The company will first market the product in Europe, where environmental regulations are strict, and then consider launching it in Japan. Komatsu began renting several small excavators powered by lead-acid batteries on a trial basis in Japan in April 2020.

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Italy’s CNH and China’s FAW in Talks Over Truck Maker Iveco

CNH Industrial is in talks with China’s FAW over the future of truck maker Iveco, the Italian-American group said recently after sources told Reuters it had revived previously aborted negotiations.

Source: Reuters    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Another positive development in the industry during such a gloomy crisis, FAW fits the merger success story I just mentioned about the few surviving companies.  There are for sure many challenges ahead with the acquisition, particularly after the take-over, but there are so much to celebrate if the deal can be finalized.

Both Europe and China are investing in each other’s market, Scania, MAN, Daimler and Volvo are all setting up new factories or strengthening ties with current partners in China. 

And now we see FAW is putting their focus in the European market by engaging with Iveco.  Both sides have seen potential growth on one another’s market.  European truck makers will bring along new concept and technology to China’s market and likes of FAW will bring along cost saving and localization practices for its European counterparts

This is another sign that Chinese companies are moving more and more of their focus on the overseas markets, we will only see more of this coming in the future.  PSR

Qin Fen is Business Development Manager-China for Power Systems Research

2020-12-21

Magni, Bobcat Reach New Heights

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

Magni TH, an Italian manufacturer of material handling equipment, has signed an agreement with Bobcat to supply a range of rotating telehandlers (RTH) between 18 and 39 meters. 

The new machines will be produced in Italy, by Magni TH, with the Bobcat branding and stage V engines.  In order to achieve demand Magni has already developed a new facility, allowing the company to produce 3500 rotating telehandlers per year, once at full capacity.  This agreement will allow Magni to grow significantly according to their president and founder, Riccardo Magni.

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2020-12-01

PSR/JCB Power Systems Construction Outlook Webinar

On November 30th, Power Systems Research with JCB Power Systems presented a webinar providing the 2021 outlook for construction equipment production and engine emissions trends in North America, South America and Europe.

The presentation included the latest information on COVID-19 impacts on construction equipment production. JCB Power Systems provided details regarding emissions in developing engine technologies that are coming to market across the globe.

PSR-JCB Power Systems Construction Equipment OutlookDownload
PSR-JCB-Power-Systems-Construction-Equipment-OutlookDownload

2020-11-24

COVID-19 Hits European Pleasure Marine Industry

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

The year 2020 started very well for pleasure boat builders across the Europe but it was battered in mid-year by COVID-19. The Dusseldorf trade show, Boot, held at the end of January, ended with a positive outlook and promising results for 2020. Order books were full, thanks to the great boating mood created in previous years.

The unexpected and violent Covid-19 storm came up in March. Nobody was prepared to face the challenge. Builders had to stop production or to reduce their capacities to a minimum during April and May. Production schedules had to be reorganized according to security measures imposed by the local governments.

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