São Paulo Partners with ENEL To Replace Diesel Buses

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

The City of São Paulo has announced a partnership with Enel, an energy supplier, for its bus fleet electrification project to be completed by 2024. Under the agreement, the city will get funding for the project of R $ 8 billion. The plan calls for the replacement of the fleet of combustion buses with non-polluting models.

According to the city, Enel is one of the main stakeholders in the project and should assist companies in logistics, infrastructure and the feasibility of electric vehicles based on their experience in Latin America.

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The Future of Commercial Vehicles. Perspectives for Brazil

Published in Automotive Business, August, 26, 2020

1. INTRODUCTION

The use of diesel in Commercial Vehicles and its alternatives has been studied and discussed globally over the past two decades. We have updated future trends annually based on the new platforms in our data and new models in development allowing us a 10-year horizon. In August 2019 we published an article on the subject for Automotive Business Brazil, which is now updating.

Carlos Briganti
Carlos Briganti

In the 2019 article we said that fossil diesel propulsion for commercial vehicles would be exposed to several alternatives and therefore the 20s decade would be a decade of significant changes, justifying yearly monitoring of the subject.

This whole range of studies was then impacted by COVID-19, a new event at the beginning of this decade that is another factor of change in this complex subject.

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Japanese OEMs Agree on Battery Specs for Electric Motorcycles

Four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, said they have agreed to share the same battery specifications for electric motorcycles. By sharing the same removable replacement battery, they will increase convenience. The battery charger to be developed in the future will also be standardized.

For small scooters, it is difficult to increase the size of the battery to extend the cruising range due to the small size of the vehicle, and thus the frequency of recharging is high. The detachable battery type will be more convenient, as it can be exchanged for a fully charged battery at the battery exchange station.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: In April 2019, the four companies set up a consortium to discuss battery commonality; agreeing to commonality is an achievement. This was the minimum necessary point to reach in order to prevent confusion caused by conflicting specifications, such as whether to use VHS or Beta. In addition, there had never been a case in the past where four companies had worked together to accomplish something, and in this sense, it was probably significant.

Standards have been agreed upon for battery structure, characteristics, protection circuits, communication protocols for charging, and stations that will serve as exchange infrastructure. However, the size, weight, capacity, and shape of the batteries are outside the scope of the cooperative area and will be handled by each company, in other words, a competitive area.

The agreement is related to replaceable batteries (and replacement stations) for first-class mopeds (under 50cc) and second-class motorcycles (under 125cc). As for the electrification of medium and large motorcycles, all four companies will continue to develop technologies and products as before.

In my opinion, it has taken two years to build this consensus, which is far too long. Taiwan’s Gogoro, KIMCO’s Ionex, and others have already released many EV bikes, and recharging stations have become widespread, especially in urban areas, and the bikes are already functioning as a part of our daily lives. As international competition intensifies, there will be more and more cases where the traditional Japanese sense of speed will not be able to cope. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia, for Power Systems Research

Rostselmash Starts Building Tractor Plant in Rostov-Don

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Russia’s largest maker of AG machines – Rostselmash Group of Companies – in July 2021 starts construction of a tractor plant located near Rostselmash’s main production site. Rostselmash plans to invest US$ 66 million (5 Bln Rubles).

Construction must be completed within two years, and the plant will reach its annual production capacity of 3,000 units in 2023.

The plant will consist of a production building of 62,000 sq. meters, and a building for engineering and commercial departments. Total territory of new plant will reach 14 hectares. Rostselmash plans to assemble five tractor models with rigid and articulated frame.

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BMW Starts Production of CE 04 EV Motorbike

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

The CE 04 falls somewhere between a maxiscooter and a light electric motorcycle, with a distinguished concept style.  Initially, the rated power will be 42 Hp, giving the CE 04 a 2.6 seconds to 50km/h and 120 km/h max speed.   A second model will be soon available with 31 Hp, with slower acceleration but similar top speed.

Acceleration won’t be the only difference.  The battery in the faster model will be bigger, with 8.9 kWh of capacity and is rated for up to 130 km (81 miles) of range. The reduced power model has a maximum range of 100 km (62 miles).  It will be possible to charge the bike under different circumstances, at home, or public places.  Two built-in chargers will be available, ranging from 2.3 kW to 6.9 kw.  Charging will take from 1 hour and forty minutes to 4 hours depending on the selected option.  BMW said that 20 to 80% battery charge will take 45 minutes, making this a very practical vehicle.

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50-Ton Battery-Powered Electric Crane Introduced

The 653 E Electro Battery from Sennebogen is a new 50-ton battery-powered electric crane that was developed with Dutch dealer Van den Heuvel. “The new crane combines the benefits of battery technology with the proven advantages of the telescopic crawler crane design,” the company writes. “This means you work completely emission-free and retain maximum flexibility, thanks to the Dual Power Management system.”

With a 210 kWh battery, the crane is expected to be able to operate for up to 14 hours.

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First Synthetic Fuel Neutral CO2 Starts in Chile

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Construction of the first world carbon-neutral synthetic fuel plant was started in Chile, in December 2022. With a US$55 million investment in the project, Siemens Energy, HIF Global and Porsche will produce Methanol and Gasoline using water, wind and CO2. The plant has a planned capacity of 550 million liters in 2027.

The Haru Oni plant is Installed in the Magallanes, Chilean Patagonia region. It is known for the vast potential for its hydrogen market, with winds of more than 6,000 hours of charge to generate green electricity, three times more than in Europe.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis. Cost competitiveness is the major factor in the success of this project. E-fuels are an interesting alternative to accelerate the decarbonization of the transportation industry, especially in vehicles with complex electrification, such as ocean-going vessels and airplanes where the energy density and battery weight becomes a difficult factor. PSR

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

Dieselzipservice Starts Producing M401D Engines

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

Dieselzipservice has started mass production of the M400D and M401D marine diesel engines it has developed. These propulsion engines are installed on hydrofoil ships and speedboats for river and sea use.

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

The tech features provides increased power with reduced fuel consumption and improved ecological performance.    

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The group of companies identified as Dieselzipservice is an engine marinizer and marine engine repair company. Marine propulsion engine production is a new business for the company. Still, it has a good chance for success because this market niche in Russian has a lot of room for newcomers. Top world players, like Volvo, Mercury, MTU and others have limited their presence in the market with Western sanctions, the local product is still undeveloped, and engines from China often are reliable. PSR

Maxim Sakov is a Market Consultant in the Russian operation of Power Systems Research.

John Deere Starts Grader Production in Brazil

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

John Deere announced the start of production of G series of Graders in Brazil in the coming months. It had previously imported these units. With the movement, John Deere will attend the South American Market with 90% of products made in Brazil.

Source: AutoData     Read The Article

PSR Analysis:  The decision of nationalization started in 2018 and makes more sense with recent local currency depreciation. With this movement, Deere will be more competitive in delivery time and it will have some room for margins and pricing variation, what will lead to a moderate growth of share in the market, what is already reflected in our databases forecast.

KAMAZ Starts Development of Euro-6 Engine

Project “Tibet” is going on in R&D center of KAMAZ. Within this project, OEM is performing work on creation of an inline 6 cylinder engine, the KAMAZ-910.40 that meets the Euro-6 Emission standard. The initial prototype of the engine has been assembled.

New engine should have NOX reduced in 5 times, particles – in 2,5 times, ammonia – in 2,5 times, comparing to its predecessor. There are also stricter requirements to engine diagnostics.

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