2023 NA Production: Graders
A Grader is a piece of heavy equipment used to level or smooth roads or other surfaces. Also referred to as a Road Grader or a Motor Grader.
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2023-11-16
2023-10-23
Tesla Breaks Ground for Diner with Theater and Supercharger
Tesla has broken ground on the site of its planned futuristic diner with a drive-in theater and Supercharger station. This project has been in the works for several years. In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, (with) roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.”
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations. Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. Last year, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
Source: Electrek: Read The Article
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Lithium Deposit In Nevada Could Be World’s Largest
The Chinese were way ahead of the rest of the world when it came to recognizing the value of lithium. While most nations slept, China was busy identifying lithium deposits around the world and either buying them or negotiating deals with those who may not have fully appreciated lithium’s value.
It incentivized others to seek alternatives. New companies sprang up to extract lithium from salt brine, especially in the Salton Sea area of California. But these are years away from being able to supply America’s and the world’s needs.
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2023-10-14
DataPoint: North America Production of Scooters
Scooters are motorized 2-wheeled vehicles used primarily for recreational.
Production climbed sharply in 2022, increasing by 24,686 units, or 14.6%, from 2021. We expect production to climb in 2023 as well, growing by about 3,725 units or 2%.
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2023-09-15
Hydrogen Fuel Cell MH Commercial Vehicle Update
With regards to zero-emission medium and heavy vehicles, we have heard during the past few years that battery electric commercial trucks will ultimately replace the diesel-powered internal combustion engine for commercial trucks. At some point in the future this might be true for short and regional haul freight carriers but what about the long-haul heavy truck segment?
Currently, the lack of charging infrastructure, range anxiety and the extreme weights associated with the batteries will be a significant deterrent to mass adoption of long-haul battery electric trucks. However, hydrogen fuel cell trucks for long-haul applications appear to be a viable option in this segment. Even though fuel cell trucks currently have a greater range and lighter weight than battery electric trucks, they have the same problem as electric trucks due to a lack of a power infrastructure.
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2023-08-20
Continued Growth Seen for Powersports Market
The growing popularity of powersports is expected to provide many new opportunities ln this rapidly growing market. Some of the trends fueling this long-term growth potential are:
Growing/changing market for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs).
- Technological advancements through improved durability and adaptability to UTV’s, ensure greater enjoyment for UTV riders.
- Industry-leading companies will continue to focus on increased product range and rigorous R&D initiatives to strengthen their market standing.
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U.S. Economic Downturn this Year or Next?
SUMMARY. As we are halfway through 2023, there is more uncertainty with the economy than earlier in the year. The general consensus is there will be a recession coming soon in the United States, and now it is just a matter of whether this will happen later in 2023 or the first of part of 2024.
The latter may be more assumed recently. The stock market has not fallen, and the US economy has not entered a recession this year, 2023. Some of the factors that have prevented this are market investors being enthusiastic over AI (Artificial Intelligence) potential, the Federal Reserve’s pause in interest rate increases, and the slowdown of inflation. So seemingly the pause button has been hit on recession scenarios.
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VW Unveils Four EV Breakthroughs
VW’s US Innovation Hub just announced four breakthroughs in electric mobility and sustainable transport. First, the team used artificial intelligence on University of Tennessee’s high-performance computer cluster to develop a modular structure in the shape of tiny pyramids; the structure can be 3D-printed from liquid resins and can hold 30K times its own 0.15 lb weight (68g), so this frame would be up to 60% lighter than the steel frame.
Second, they have developed a method of using paper as a recyclable alternative to plastic parts and foils for EV interiors.
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2023-06-19
CARB Is Phasing Out Heavy Trucks
NORTH AMERICA REPORT
In April, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to finalize its Advanced Clean Fleets rule that requires all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sold or registered in the state of California to be zero-emission by 2036.
Among these requirements is a new 2036 target for an end to diesel truck sales. This was lowered from an early 2040 target, with the thought that 2040 would be too late to reach California Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal for 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.
The 2036 target is only one year after the 2035 target for passenger cars. Also in the rule, state and local agencies must purchase 50% ZEV by 2024, and 100% ZEV by 2027.
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2023-05-26
PSR Awards $2,000 Scholarship
Power Systems Research has awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Erin Kelly, a student at Eagan High School in Eagan, Minnesota. Erin plans to attend the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., and study computer engineering.
Erin enjoys reading, writing, playing and listening to music and all things theater and storytelling. She doesn’t really have a favorite school subject because, as she says, “There are so many ways to view the world and love learning about all of them.”
Her favorite high school memory is “seeing everyone on stage during on stage during our recorded concert style production of Les Miserables–in masks and social distancing, it was the first normal thing since the pandemic began.”
Power Systems Research has been supporting high school science and engineering programs for many years. It has been donating to the Eagan Foundation Scholarship program since 2013.
Another program PSR funds is the Experimental Vehicle Team at St. Thomas Academy in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota. The school successfully competes in international competitions with high schools and universities to build the most energy efficient vehicles. PSR
