CONEXPO 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.”

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Achieving Peak Efficiency in Diesel Technology

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

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

CARB Is Phasing Out Heavy Trucks

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

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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29% of 2023 Trucks Fit with Euro 6 Engines

Data released by Anfavea about July Sales and Production show only 29% of the trucks sold in 2023, and produced during the year, met the PROCONVE P8 / Euro VI emissions regulation.

From January to July 2023, 53,900 trucks were produced, 36.2% below the 84,500 units produced in same period last year. This amount is also lower than that produced in the same period in 2021, when 89,500 trucks were produced on the Brazilian OEM assembly lines.

Truck production is still at a slow pace as the market continues to generate low demand for the new PROCONVE P8 technology.

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Hydrogen Fuel Cell MH Commercial Vehicle Update

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

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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2024 NA Production: Dumpers/Tenders

1,600 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Dumpers/Tenders expected to be produced in North America in 2024.

Dumpers/Tenders are vehicles 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.

Utility style models are versatile and are extremely popular with homeowners.  Dumper/Tenders, commonly referred to as the Power Buggy, are sought after pieces of equipment, much faster than a conventional wheelbarrow and can accelerate job site related activities. 

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