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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Hino Motors’ Engine Fraud Covers 560,000 vehicles

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Hino Motors has announced that the falsification of diesel engine emission values, which was previously announced in March, had been taking place since at least 2003 or earlier. The company had previously stated that the fraud began in the fall of 2016. In 2016, the company also revealed that it had falsely reported to the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism) in response to its request for a fact-finding survey on exhaust gas and fuel efficiency tests.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: Although I do not wish to make such negativity a theme, I cannot overlook this issue. The impact on the industry of the fraud at Hino, which has the top share of the medium- and heavy-duty truck sector in Japan, is significant. Isuzu has suspended shipments of four bus models that use Hino engines. Not limited to the automotive field, Tadano cranes, Kobelco hydraulic excavators, Hitachi Construction Machinery wheel loaders, and Kato rough terrain cranes have also been forced to suspend shipments after the problem came to light.

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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

Ideanomics Successfully Tests Quick Power 500 kW Charger

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

At 27%, the transport industry is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in North America and Europe and within the transport sector, passenger cars contribute the most emissions followed by medium and heavy-duty trucks which contribute emissions at around 26% of the transportation industry. The move to reduce or eliminate emissions is one of the biggest priorities within the industry.

In a first, Ideanomics has announced that it successfully tested WAVE’s 500kW ultra-fast wireless charger at the Port of Los Angeles, which can charge class 8 electric trucks in less than 15 minutes. Installation of the wireless electric chargers is already underway at the Port of LA, and Ideanomics expects the first chargers to be ready for use in 2023

Source: Electrek: Read The Article

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JCB Unveils Mobile Hydrogen Refueler

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

JCB has unveiled a mobile hydrogen refueler which it says will allow on-site refueling of hydrogen powered machines in the same way that fuel bowsers are used for diesel powered equipment.

The mobile hydrogen refueller is designed to provide an easy way to refuel machines, the vast majority of which have fuel delivered to them while working on site, said the company. JCB said customers are already used to a transportable fuel system.

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CV Production Nears Pre-covid Levels

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

A favorable mix of factors is propelling demand for commercial vehicles to their best-ever pre-covid-19 volumes in India. Even though the CV segment has not reached its 2018 peak, it is expected to grow by double digits in the current fiscal year.

This growth is based on healthy demand and a relatively low base last year. While the sales are in green for all the major OEMs, market leader Tata Motors has reported year-over-year drop of 3%.

Source: Auto News     Read The Article

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PowerTALK™, January 2023

Manufacturers are increasing their efforts to develop hydrogen as a power source for vehicles and stationary power equipment at the same time that they continue to develop batteries that are lighter and that can be charged faster.

In This Issue
  • Alternative Power
    • • Are Hydrogen Engines in the Future?
    • • Growth of Hydrogen Internal Combustion engines (H-ICE)
    • • JCB Reaches Hydrogen Milestone
    • • Hyster Begins Pilot of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Container Handler
  • North America: U.S. Economy Faces Problems
  • DataPoint: NA Combines
  • Brazil/South America
    • • Brazil Pushes Truck Renewal Program
    • • First Synthetic Fuel Neutral CO2 Started
    • • FPT Developing Ethanol or Biomethane Engine
  • Europe: Cost Increases Cause Losses at HanseYacht
  • China: CNH To Halt Sales of Construction Machinery
  • Japan: METI Sets 2030 Goal for EV Trucks
  • South Korea: Hyundai Plans $14.7 Billion for Software
  • Southeast Asia: EV Purchase Subsidies Planned
  • India: Bets Placed on Green Hydrogen

Nikola Plans To Develop Hydrogen Fuel Network

The lack of a refueling infrastructure is one of the largest challenges facing H2 development, so Nikola plans to start building a hydrogen fuel network. The network would make it possible for H2-powered vehicles to refuel conveniently, particularly when those vehicles are the company’s own trucks.

The company has already started the construction of H2 plants in order to produce the H2 necessary to supply the hydrogen fuel network. Once those are in place and the refueling stations are built, it will become feasible for companies to begin including H2-powered trucks in their fleets.

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