Eletra Converts Trucks and Buses to Electric in Brazil

Eletra started converting Trucks and Buses from 3.5 to 54 Tons for the range of 50km to 150km by replacing the actual Powertrain (ICE, Transmission, Axels,) and suspension with batteries, electric drive and new suspension. The main benefits for the approach is to provide 30% less cost than a new Electric Truck and shorten the timing to meet sustainability targets, since the retrofit is done quickly. Companies like Ambev (AB-Inbev) announced 102 trucks retrofitted with Eletra.

Source: M&T    Read The Article

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VWCO To Invest US$ 400 million in Four Years in Brazil

The amount is expected to be directed mainly to new technologies, such as for the Proconve P8 introduction in 2023, new technologies for Connectivity and development of sales and aftersales areas.

Source: O Estado de São Paulo     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The investment is higher than the former investments cycles but keeps the same line and makes the company one of the most important players in the Truck and Bus industry in South America. With this announcement, VWCO confirms its belief in the Brazilian Market and indicates its willingness to keep its market share lead. PSR

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

2021 Trailer Industry Grows 33% at 163,000 Units

The Brazil trailer industry registered 163,000 new license plates in 2021 vs. 122,000 in 2020, growing 33.5%. The result could have been even better since the segment was affected by a lack of components, such as steel, tires, etc. Export sales climbed to 4,600 units vs. 2,100 units in 2021.

Source: M&T / Anfir     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The growth is in line with truck sales that confirm the health of the transportation industry. The growth of exports confirms the recovery of key markets of Trailers and MHV.

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

In 2025, China’s Construction Machinery Electric Drive Products May Reach 25%

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Electrification has become one of the important directions of green development within China’s construction machinery segment. Domestic construction machinery leaders have increased the development of equipment electrification and have launched a variety of electrification products.

Some professional organizations predict that by 2025 the penetration rate of main products may reach 25%. The electrification of construction machinery initially replaces conventional diesel engine drive with electric drive and then the hydraulic device is replaced by an electric device. Concrete mixers, truck cranes, muck trucks, excavators and wheel-loaders are the most easily electrically driven products, especially for small construction machinery.

Source:  CLS     Read The Article

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Ural To Produce Axles for Heavy Trucks

RUSSIA REPORT

The Fund of Industrial Development has approved a loan of US$ 27 million (2 Bln rubles) under the “Priority Projects” program, which will allow Ural to build axles at a new production facility. The new site will allow OEM to double production of heavy load trucks and to create about 4,000 jobs.

Currently, these axles are being purchased in China. Ural is going to make this product for its own use, and for sale to other truck makers. Production under the program is expected to begin in 2023.

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Fleet Renewal Program Goes Live in Brazil   

BRAZIL REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

The Brazil Government has published a law starting the Truck and Buses Scrappage Policy, aiming to renew fleets, increase productivity and efficiency, reduce emissions and improve safety. Depending on the effectiveness of the program, it may affect the MHV market. See complete article translated in our webpage and the original from Automotive Business.

Source: Automotive Business    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The launch of the Renovar program is a positive sign on the path of improving safety, logistics efficiency and environmental impact for Brazil, with genuine and relevant objectives.

Because it is a voluntary program, operating in phases, with regulations and parameters yet to be defined, it is too early to project the effectiveness and impact on the vehicle market.

We believe that Brazil still needs broader legislation for a long-term program with a gradual and geographically differentiated process to restrict the movement of older, less safe trucks and buses with lower efficiency and higher emission levels. Fleet owners, autonomous carriers, OEMs and the entire production chain need predictability for long-term planning to prepare for and assure feasibility for a broad and scheduled fleet renewal. PSR

By Fabio Ferraresi, Director Business Development South Americafor Power Systems Research

Five Year Plan Encourages Development of LNG Trucks and Ships

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

“By 2025, the national gas storage capacity of intensive layout will reach 55 billion ~ 60 billion cubic meters, accounting for about 13% of natural gas consumption. Build a green and low-carbon transportation system, optimize and adjust the transportation structure, vigorously develop multi-modal transport, promote the medium and long-distance transportation of bulk goods “from rail to water”, encourage the use of clean fuels such as LNG in the field of heavy-duty trucks and ships, and strengthen the guarantee of clean energy supply in the transportation industry. It is emphasized that the LNG storage and transportation system in Bohai Rim region, Yangtze River Delta region and Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Bay area should be continuously improved, and the core is the construction of LNG terminal.”

Source:  NDRC       Read The Article

PSR Analysis. China’s LNG import volume in 2022 is expected to surpass Japan and become the world’s largest LNG importer. At the same time, China has built 22 LNG terminals. There are more than 200 LNG manufacturers in China, with an annual capacity of about 30 million tons.

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Volvo CE Pushing Alternative Powertrains

EUROPE REPORT

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has started testing its prototype “HX04” Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Articulated truck.  Carolina Diez Ferrer, Head of Advanced Engineering Programs at Volvo CE expects that this prototype will “give valuable insights into the opportunities of hydrogen in the energy transformation alongside battery-electric solutions.”

The on-going development of the hauler began in 2018 and experienced partnerships with different Swedish institutions and companies.  Fun fact: The machine is nicknamed “Electric Charlie,” a homage to “Gravel Charlie,” the world’s first Articulated hauler produced by Volvo in 1966. 

Shell has been involved in the project, supplying the Hydrogen refuelling station for Volvo’s test track.  The Volvo HX04 is charged with 12 kg hydrogen in about 7.5 minutes, enabling it to operate for approximately four hours. Fuel cells work by combining hydrogen with oxygen and the resulting chemical reaction produces electricity which powers the machine.

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Navistar Introduces S13 Engine Platform

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Navistar says it plans to introduce the Navistar 12.7 liter S13 engine platform in the fourth quarter of 2023.  The S13 engine is based upon the Scania DC13 engine and will supersede the current 12.4 liter A26 engine platform starting next year.  The initial engine installations will be standard on the LT and RH truck platforms and will be introduced to the HV and HX platforms in 2024.  The order books are expected to open in October.

The S13 engine will be paired with the new International T14 automated manual transmission.  The T14 is a 14 speed AMT which is the first transmission offered by the company.

The current A26 engine platform is based upon the MAN D26 engine platform and will be superseded by the S13 engine over the next few years.  Navistar will continue to source the Cummins engine lineup for the foreseeable future.  According to Navistar, this will be the last engine upgrade for the company as they plan to focus on zero-emission vehicles.  Navistar says that half of all its new vehicles sold by 2030 will be zero-emission; it expects to reach 100% of sales in 2040. PSR

Source: International S13

Chris Fisher is Senior Commercial Vehicle Analyst at Power Systems Research

Special Report: M&T Expo

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  
Carlos Briganti
Carlos Briganti

TheM&T Expo 2022 is one of the most important trade fairs in the construction and mining equipment industry throughout Latin America and this year the show featured more than 600 exhibiting brands in 54,000 square meters. Held in Sao Paulo Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2022, the event had more than 30,000 visits in four days. 

Disagreements between show organizers and exhibitors caused key players in the market to avoid the show. The list of missing exhibitors included Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, JCB, CNH, and Volvo. Chinese companies, as well as Liebherr, took this opportunity to use large spaces at the event, both in area and in product portfolio with respective sales and engineering teams.

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