Cummins Agnostic ICE’s and Hydrogen Fuel Update

News: North America

2023-03-26

Cummins Agnostic ICE’s and Hydrogen Fuel Update

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Cummins plans to introduce their agnostic ICE engine platforms with testing to begin in 2024 and series production to start in the 2026/2027 timeframe.  The engine platforms use a common base engine.  Below the head gasket the engines will mostly have similar components and above the head gasket the engine will have different components for different fuel types.  The new platforms will include the B6.7, X10 and the X15 engines.  The X10 will ultimately supersede the current L9 and X12 engine platforms.  

In North America, Cummins plans to introduce the agnostic engine platforms starting in 2026.  Diesel and natural gas will be the first fuel types introduced and hydrogen versions will soon follow.

Sources:  FleetOwner  Cummins X Series Agnostic Engines  Cummins Agnostic Overview

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2023-03-21

DATAPOINT: NA Harvesters, 2023 Production

DataPoint – NA Harvesters – Mar 2023Download

470 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of harvesters to be produced in North America in 2023.

The combine harvester, often simply called a combine, is a machine that harvests grain crops. The name derives from its combining three separate operations comprising harvesting—reaping, threshing, and winnowing—into a single process.

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.

Market Share: With 52% of total units produced, Deere leads in production of harvesters in North America.  In second position, with combined plant total, is Oxbo International with 25%; third, Flory with 10%.     PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research

2023-02-20

Charging Infrastructure Blocks BEV Growth

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

According to John O’Leary President and CEO of DTNA, charging infrastructure is the greatest barrier to adoption for battery electric heavy trucks.  Speaking to journalists in Las Vegas, he said customers are happy with the electric vehicles they have received but they are unable to expand their fleets with additional electric vehicles primarily due to the lack of charging infrastructure.

“Overwhelmingly, infrastructure is slowing us down in terms of EV deployment,” said Daimler Truck North America President and CEO John O’Leary. “Site prep, permitting, and construction delays all contribute to deployment times being measured in years, not weeks or months.”

“There’s a lot of will in the regulatory and political arenas to make that happen, but when you start talking about moving large megawatt lines of electricity around and building new substations, it just takes time,” he said. 

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DATAPOINT: NA Dumpers/Tenders, 2023 Production

NA Dumpers/Tenders – Feb. 2023Download

1,790 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Dumpers/Tenders to be produced in North America (United States and Canada) in 2023.

A Dumper/Tender is a vehicle designed for carrying bulk material, often on building sites. Dumpers are distinguished from dump trucks by configuration: a dumper is usually an open 4-wheeled vehicle with the load skip in front of the driver, while a dump truck has its cab in front of the load.

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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Japanese Auto OEMs Seek Battery Production in NA

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Major automobile manufacturers are actively investing in automotive lithium-ion batteries. Nissan is leading among the Japanese automakers, followed by Honda and Toyota. Along with the motor and inverter, the vehicle-mounted lithium-ion battery is considered one of the “Three Sacred Treasures” of EVs.

In particular, the on-board battery is the most important as it is the source of power. In many cases, EV production will not be possible without securing a large supply of batteries through partnerships with major battery manufacturers. However, the number of battery makers with which the major automotive companies have partnered is limited: CATL ranked first in the global automotive battery market in 2021, with 39% of the market. It was followed by LG Energy Solutions (18%) and Panasonic Holdings (12%), with the top three companies accounting for 70% of the market.

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2023-01-22

U.S. Economy Faces Multiple Problems

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Jim Downey

SUMMARY. Many of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. economy in 2022 are continuing into 2023. These problems include supply chain disruptions, the migration of production and use of internal combustion engines to alternative drive types, uncertainty of inflation and rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine.

There were also positives which came out of 2022, including a return to more face-to-face business transactions and meetings. Trade shows made a big comeback in 2022, and this trend will continue in 2023 as the huge CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held in March in Las Vegas.

The push towards electrification is not all negative either. Innovation and action around alternative drive types will continue to grow.

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2022-12-16

DATAPOINT: North America Terminal Tractors

Terminal Tractors – Dec 2022Download
Estimated 2022 Production: 3,800 Units

3,800 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Terminal Tractors to be produced in North America (United States) in 2022. Terminal Tractors are specialized heavy duty vehicles designed to move loads at container ports and container terminals. Generally, they are slow moving (under 30km/h) and employ a high torque diesel engine and 4×4 wheel drive which enables them to move very heavy trailer loads, sometimes up to 200 or 300 tons. PSR

2022-12-14

Korea’s SK Battery To Supply Hyundai’s U.S. Plant

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Korean battery giant SK Innovation announced that it will expand its supply of batteries to Hyundai Motor Group in North America, and the two companies will discuss the construction of a joint venture plant to increase supply after 2025. SK Innovation says it plans to support Hyundai Motor Group’s increased EV production in North America.

In addition to EV production at its existing Alabama plant, Hyundai Motor plans to start operations of a dedicated EV plant in Georgia by 2025. Kia Motors, a group company, will also increase EV production in Georgia, as stable procurement of batteries, a key component of EVs, has become an issue.

SK On, a battery subsidiary of SK Innovation, already supplies batteries for Hyundai Motor’s mainstay Ioniq EV series. In the U.S., SK On produces batteries at its existing Georgia plant, and after consulting with Hyundai Motor, the company will decide whether to expand the plant or establish a new joint venture plant.

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DATAPOINT: North America Terminal Tractors

Estimated 2022 Production: 3,800 Units

3,800 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Terminal Tractors to be produced in North America (United States) in 2023.

Terminal Tractors are specialized heavy duty vehicles designed to move loads at container ports and container terminals. Generally, they are slow moving (under 30km/h) and employ a high torque diesel engine and 4×4 wheel drive which enables them to move very heavy trailer loads, sometimes up to 200 or 300 tons

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U.S. Powersports Industry Grows in 2021

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has released economic data for 2021 showing the outdoor recreation industry’s impact on the U.S. economy. Key highlights from the 2021 data on the U.S. outdoor recreation economy include: 1. $862 billion in economic output; 2. 1.9% of GDP, and 3. 4.5 million jobs.

Trips and travel have come back, record sales in many outdoor segments, manufacturing increasing, as well as the drive to continue to recreate for quality of life has allowed the outdoor industry to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19.

“The continued strength of the outdoor economy is no surprise to the marine industry, where we continue to see incredible growth with new and younger customers taking to our brands each year,” said Chris Drees, President of Mercury Marine, the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines.

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