2023-04-19
Engines powered by gasoline and diesel fuel are reaching a critical point in production compared to electric and hybrid vehicles, according to reports in the April issue of Alternative Power Report. 2026 could be a critical year. Read about this trend and related articles that address alternative power in this issue.
2023-04-18
Beijing Foton Motors and Cummins said they will further strengthen their strategic cooperation in the Southeast Asian region and sign a joint investment agreement with the Foton Cummins Thailand engine factory to provide powertrains for the Foton Zhengda vehicle base and Southeast Asian business.
This signing would mark a further strategic cooperation between Foton Motors and Cummins, targeting a wider range of regional markets and providing more diversified power solutions to global customers.
As a global emerging economy, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has become one of the regions with the greatest development potential in the world. In recent years, Foton Motors has had significant business expansion in Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Their market share has gradually increased in trucks, buses, and other specialized vehicles, and they have built their reputation in the local market.
Honda said it plans to produce a motor-driven electric motorcycle for individuals in Japan by the end of 2023. This will be the first time Honda produces a product for the public in Japan.
Overall, Honda said it plans to launch more than 10 models of electric motorcycles worldwide by 2025. Their goal is to increase overall sales, including pedal-powered and electric bicycles, mainly in China and India. The company plans to increase its sales to 3.5 million units worldwide by 2030, more than 20 times the 2021 level.
The EM1e electric scooter was unveiled March 17, 2023, in Japan. It has a cruising range of approximately 40 km and uses replaceable batteries. The price is expected to be higher than gasoline-powered scooters with a displacement of about 50 liters. The company plans to launch the moped equipped with pedals that can be pedaled with the feet, and five other motorized bicycle models in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan by 2024.
Electric motorcycles face the problem that on-board batteries are expensive and production costs are more than 50% higher than those of internal combustion engine models. Honda plans to increase its global sales to 1 million units by 2026, and further to 3.5 million units by 2030. However, demand for internal combustion engines is strong in emerging countries, and Honda intends to maintain its annual production capacity of 20 million two-wheeled gasoline vehicles until 2030.
Source: The Nikkei
PSR Analysis: Honda is finally bringing an electric model to the consumer market. Yamaha already sells the E-Vino to individuals. Harley is spinning off its electric motorcycle division to attract investment, and India’s Hero will release its VIDA electric motorcycle in 2022 and is working with a U.S. company to develop new products.
All companies are very ambitious about electric motorcycles, but there are still many challenges to be overcome before they become widespread. As a first mover example, Taiwan’s Gogoro is doing well by developing a network of battery exchange stations. Honda’s EM1e is equipped with a single replaceable battery, and by taking the battery pack home after use and recharging it at a power outlet at home, the vehicle can start running the next day with a fully charged battery.
The handle makes the battery look easy to carry, but at 10.3 kg, it may be difficult for women to accept it. The spread of battery exchange station networks like those in Taiwan has just begun in Japan, and charging stations in urban areas are still in their infancy. PSR
Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia for Power Systems Research
Vingroup plans to launch a cab business using EVs in the country in April. The founder and chairman of the company has established a new company, owning a 95% stake. The company plans to start the service in Hanoi, the capital of the country, and expand it nationwide within the year. The company also hopes to increase awareness of its products.
The new company, Green and Smart Mobility (GSM), is capitalized at US$ 128 million (VND3 trillion, approximately 17 billion yen) and will develop a cab business using EVs as well as a business that rents EVs and electric bikes to other cab companies, etc. GSM plans to use 10,000 EVs and 100,000 electric bikes.
Source: The Nikkei
2023-04-16
Personal watercraft (PWC), often known as a jet ski, is a watercraft that can carry as many as three people. A PWC Sit-Downs is defined as a vessel specifically designed to haul up to three riders in a sitting position, one in front of another. A PWC Stand-Up is a type of PWC designed for one rider standing or kneeling on the watercraft.
The PWC has wide uses, ranging from recreation and racing to many types of utility. PWCs are used to help with rescue missions as they are small, fast, and easy to operate. Local and county law organizations use PWCs to ensure the safety and security of persons engaged in watersports.
Market Size. According to Power Systems Research, the global market size for PWCs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2022 and 2030. Global revenue for 2030 is forecasted to be $3.01 billion.
Many leading construction companies now are looking at ways they can reduce their CO2 footprints. With the advent of market-ready electrified powertrains, gas-fueled internal combustion and even fuel cell electric drives, where does the push for CO2 reductions leave diesel power?
Diesel technology has made real improvements. With cleaner combustion cycles, the introduction of low-carbon fuels and advanced emissions treatment hardware, diesel has never been cleaner. Diesel engines are so clean that the latest on-highway diesel engines that proposed Euro 7 standards have truck manufacturers focusing on reducing brake dust and tire particulates rather than engine emissions.
Source: International Construction: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Paul Muller, Technical Sales Manager at Perkins, and Steve Nendick, Marketing Communications Director for Global and European Off-Highway at Cummins recently gave their thoughts on engine efficiency improvements with the overall message being these two companies are still pushing for improvements in diesel efficiency as a route to lower carbon emissions. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
This article includes an important graph showing vehicle production numbers between 2015 and 2026, (projected for 2023–2026) which are based on historic BEV growth data and trends. Hybrids are lumped in with ICE cars and are shown as a preference over full BEVs which is clear in the data.
The chart shows that the overall auto industry has declined from its peak in 2017–due to the pandemic and chip shortage–before it started to recover in 2021. This chart/model is conservative in predicting industry growth at 1.6% y/y going forward and BEV growth at 50% for 2023 (average BEV growth was 57% for the past 7 years)
A new animated chart shows the dramatic changes in the evolving hierarchy of the biggest construction equipment manufacturers over 20 years. The chart draws on data from International Construction’s Yellow Table, which tracks the top 50 construction OEMs across the world. The data stretches back to 2003, and up until the latest version in 2022.
Source: International Construction: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: This animated chart is especially interesting in that it allows you to track the growth of up to half a dozen big Chinese OEMs who have grown among the top companies. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
2023-03-26
Gas-powered engines have been the backbone of boating since the advent of the internal combustion engine, but electric-powered boats could soon be claiming a significant share of the market.
Most of the fuel used in transportation is petroleum-based, but initiatives by many governments to reduce carbon emissions and to encourage consumers to adopt eco-friendly boats and ships is expected to boost growth of the electric boat market. The electric boat industry is still in early stages of development and there is a potential for growth.
Electric boats are defined as marine vessels with electric drive as propulsion. Electric boats can be only electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, or hybrid electric.
2023-03-24
CONEXPO 2023 Features Hydrogen, Electric Equipment Walking CONEXPO 2023, the giant international construction show in Las Vegas this month, it was obvious that OEMs are devoting huge amounts of resources to developing alternative power sources for their compact equipment.
Hydrogen powered units and battery packs were common and new products powered by alternative energy sources were popular with attendees. New technology was the name of the game at this year’s show.
However, there were several prototypes that were built only for the show, according to some exhibitors, and were not likely to be put into mass production anytime soon. In fact, one manufacturer told us, “This was manufactured for the purpose of the exhibition and is not intended for mass production.”
Monthly news and analysis from PSR’s experts
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