Komatsu To Expand Autonomous Truck Operation in Brazil

In line with global trends of automatization, Komatsu is expanding its autonomous Truck operation in Brazil. It already has six trucks operating in the mining complex of Carajás (PA) and other four trucks will be introduced this year. Komatsu says the autonomous driving technology brings 40% savings on tires and brakes, 13% on overall maintenance and 15% on productivity, considering the elimination of stops for driver changing and rest.

Source: M&T    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Carajás is the biggest mining complex in the world. It makes sense that the leading edge of the technology is being used here. These trucks are a reality, and they will progressively replace trucks driven by people in the next few years in mining complexes such as Carajas and other big ones in Brazil and South America. PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research

Volkswagen Truck and Bus and CBMM To Develop Niobium Battery for EV

Volkswagen Truck and Bus, part of the Traton Group, and CBMM, a Brazilian giant of niobium mining, announced an agreement to develop batteries with Niobium for Electric Vehicles. It promises to recharge a Truck Battery in less than 10 minutes and provide a traveling higher range. Volkswagen will start tests in 2022 to develop a functional vehicle with Niobium batteries by the end of 2022.

Source: Revista Oeste     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Primarily used to improve the strength of high grade steels, Niobium is also used for super conductors and has been tested by CBMM and Toshiba in batteries for three years with positive results. The solution applied for MHV may put Brazil in a strong position in MHV EV segment, since 97% of the Niobium reserves in the world are in Brazil.

Fabio Ferraresi is Director Business Development , South America, for Power Systems Research

Brazil Motorcycle In-Service Population Grows

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

During the pandemic, the number of motorcycles in Brazil grew with the demand for delivery and e-commerce and boosted other business, from clothes for motorcyclists to spare parts.

Source: M&T     Read  The Article

PSR Analysis: The effect is seen not only because of the incremental sales and consequent in-service population increase, but because of the profile of utilization that changed. Motorcycles in Brazil are used for last mile delivery and delivery in urban centers, because of the low cost of acquisition and the low cost of operation, flexibility, and agility in traffic. The pandemic accelerated some changes in e-commerce and food delivery and created some demands above the standards already in place. It’s time for many to analyze and grab opportunities that sudden changes bring.   PSR

By Fabio Ferraresi is Director, Business Development ,South America, for Power Systems Research

PowerTALK™, May 2022

The May 2022 issue of PowerTALK News features articles on the NA production of Hydraulic Power Units, development of bio-fuels in Europe and the successful sales effort of Hyundai EVs at the Indonesia Auto Show.

Inside:

  • DataPoint: NA Hydraulic Power Units
  • Europe: Plant-Based Bio-fuel May Not Replace Fossil Fuels
  • South America:
    • Komatsu Announces Expansion in Brazil
    • Agrishow 2022 Sells US$ 5 Billion in Ag Equipment
  • China: Beijing Plan Calls for 100% EV Commercial Vehicles
  • Japan: MEGURI2040: The Fully Autonomous Ship Program
  • South Korea: Hyundai Sells EVs at Indonesia Auto Show
  • Vietnam:  Dat Bike EV Motorcycle Enters SE Asia
  • India:
    • PMI Electro To Set Up EV Manufacturing Plant
    • Tata Motors: Electrification Is Irreversible Trend

PowerTALK™, May 2023

Read about Show Reports in Europe and South America in the May issue of PowerTALK Report. In this issue, you’ll also find a global forecast for inboard marine engines, Kia’s plans for tailored EVs and Weichai’s plans to join forces with BYD to jointly produce batteries.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • Caterpillar and NMG Join Forces
    • Volkswagen Plans Its Largest Battery Factory In Canada
    • Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in Hydrogen Network
    • Japan’s Love of Hydrogen Power Could Lead To Failure
  • Global: Marine Inboard Market Forecast: US$4.45B
  • North America: EPA Releases Phase Three GHG Standards
  • DataPoint: North American Lawn Mowers
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Show Report: Agrishow 2023
    • Show Report: Automec Special
  • Europe: Show Report: Hannover Messe 2023
  • Japan: Hitachi Plans Remote Excavator
  • South Korea: Kia Plans Customer Specific EVs
  • Thailand:  China To Build EV Plant in Thailand
  • China: Weichai, BYD To Jointly Produce Batteries
  • India: Rural Areas Play Vital Role in EV Adoption

PowerTALK™, September 2023

Read about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
    • California Building Hydrogen Refueling Network for Cars
    • New Zinc-Air Batteries Challenge Lithium Batteries
    • The Truth About EV Battery Recycling
    • Australian Mining — Can It Power All The New EVs?
  • GLOBAL:
    • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Update
    • E-Bike Market Analysis
  • DATAPOINT: NA Tractor/Loader/Backhoes (TLBs)   
  • BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA: 
    • Companies Support Fleet Renewal Program
    • Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023
    • BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment
  • JAPAN: Target of 300,000 EV Chargers by 2030 Planned
  • SOUTH KOREA:  Battery Companies Increase Sales
  • VIETNAM: Ridesharing Giant Gojek Converts To EVs
  • CHINA: Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business
  • INDIA: Bus Sector Bounces Back; EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth

PowerTALK™, April 2024

Get the current PowerTALK

The April 2024 issue of PowerTALK News presents another excellent report by analyst Guy Youngs on Alternate Power sources, an update on the OEM Van Hool, John Deere’s aggressive plans for expansion in Brazil, and an analysis of the market strategies being developed by two OEMs in the India market.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • Are Sodium Ion Batteries Viable Alternative to Lithium?
  • New Hydrogen Colors to Watch in 2024 and Why They Matter
  • Study Shows Plug-in Hybrids Aren’t as Clean as We Thought
  • CATL, Yutong Launch Long-life EV Battery

GLOBAL:  Lawn and Garden Equipment Market

DATAPOINT: North America Plate Compactor Production  

EUROPE: A New Path for Van Hool   
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA
:

  • John Deere Announces New Investments in Brazil
  • Volvo To Begin Testing Heavy Trucks

JAPAN: Kubota Unveils First Fuel Cell Tractor
CHINA:
VW To Inject € 2.5 billion into its Hefei Base
INDIA: Two EV Strategies for India Market