Battery development news continues to lead the way in the current issue of the Alternative Power Report produced by Power Systems Research. In this issue, read articles about silicon anode powder used in batteries and a new cathode material that provides cheaper and more sustainable power. This issue contains news about government regulations aimed at EVs and GM and Komatsu joining forces to produce hydrogen powered mining trucks.
Engine maker Cummins is recalling 600,000 Ram trucks as part of a huge US$2 billion settlement with federal and California authorities for using illegal software to cheat results of diesel emissions tests.
Sila’s Titan Silicon anode powder consists of tiny particles of nano-structured silicon that replaces graphite in traditional lithium ion batteries. Compared to graphite, silicon stores up to 10 times more energy, so using it instead of graphite for anodes — which release electrons when a battery discharges — can significantly improve a battery’s energy density.
However, the material swells during repeated charging, with the resulting cracks radically reducing battery life. The Sila technology allows for this expansion by using nano-scale carbon “scaffolding” to keep the silicon in check.
The silicon powder has several advantages. With it, EVs could soon be able to travel up to 500 miles without stopping to charge. When the need does arise to recharge, the Sila batteries could do so in about 10 minutes.
Source: CleanTechnica: Read The Article
PSR Analysis: Using silicon powder does not require new manufacturing techniques so the technology is proven and should be relatively cheap (but this wasn’t mentioned in the article) and it bypasses the virtual Chinese monopoly on purified graphite (China currently supplies 96% of the purified graphite used by the world’s battery makers). PSR
Guy Youngs, is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
The company sold the plant to Chongqing Liangjiang New Area Yufu Industrial Park Construction and Investment Group, which is owned by the city of Chongqing, and its affiliate will use the plant as a production base for electric vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Company has sold its finished car plant in Chongqing, China, to a Chongqing government-owned company for 1.62 billion yuan (about 33 billion yen, $222 million) in December 2023. Hyundai Motor is rushing to restructure its Chinese business, which has suffered from sluggish sales, and concentrate its management resources in the U.S. and Southeast Asia.
Domestic motorcycle shipments increased for the first time in two years to 376,720 units in 2023, up 4% from the previous year. Class 2 mopeds, which have relatively low maintenance costs, performed well, increasing 47% year-on-year. The shortage of semiconductors and the easing of logistics disruptions also contributed to the increase in shipments.
Class 1 mopeds (50cc and below) fell by 29% to 92,824 units. Class 2 mopeds (over 50cc and under 125cc) were up 47% to 149,655 units, light motorcycles (over 125cc and under 250cc) were up 16% to 66,630 units and small motorcycles (over 250cc) were down 6% to 67,611 units.
BYD, the Chinese auto manufacturer, is making expansion moves in Brazil, Deutz plans to sell electric marine motor manufacturer Torqeedo to Yamaha and GM and Komatsu are developing hydrogen fuel cells for mining trucks. Read these articles and more in the January issue of PowerTALK News.
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
NORTH AMERICA: Consumers, Professionals Boost Lawn & Garden Spending
EUROPE:
DATAPOINT: NA Dumpers/Tenders
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:
JAPAN: 2023 Domestic MC Shipments Increase 4%
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Sells Chongqing Plant in China
THAILAND: Lithium Deposit World’s Third Largest
CHINA: Recharging Slows Penetration of New Energy HD Trucks
INDIA: Ford’s Potential Return to India
China companies dealing in alternative power–batteries and electric vehicles–make the news in the February issue of PowerTALK by Power Systems Research. CATL has gained market share in the global battery market and it has formed a production alliance in China. At the same time, China OEMs are gaining market share in Thailand’s EV market. Mike Aistrup reports that the global powersports recreational products market is forecast to exceed US$ 35 Billion in 2025.
ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
NORTH AMERICA:
DATAPOINT: NA ATVs
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:
JAPAN: Toyota and Chiyoda Develop Hydrogen Production System
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor Shifts EV Plans, Introduces Genesis Hybrid
THAILAND: Japanese Car Share Plummets in Thailand, China Gains Share
CHINA: LGMG and CATAL Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement
INDIA: India FY25 Budget Is Driving EV Revolution
The Indian government’s Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 is emphasizing the automotive industry, with a particular focus on the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. The budget reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, aiming to position India as a leader in the global EV market.
This analysis delves into the key highlights and implications of the budget, drawing insights from industry leaders and experts. Here are highlights of Budget.
EV Ecosystem Reinforcement: The government’s pronounced emphasis on bolstering the EV ecosystem through support for the manufacturing and charging infrastructure has been met with widespread acclaim. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s commitment to payment security mechanisms for e-buses underlines a strategic approach to encourage public transport electrification.
As of Feb. 6, 2024, Shell permanently closed its seven light duty hydrogen fuel stations in California citing “hydrogen supply complications and other external market factors” for this decision. According to the below MOTORTREND article, this leaves 17 stations operational (although several are offline at the time of this writing) in the Bay Area, and just one in the Sacramento area.
Shell had already told industry outlet Hydrogen Insight that it would stop building any of the 48 new California stations it had planned—a significant number for the state—and that the company “made the decision to permanently close its light duty station network in California in early 2024.”
Kubota is considering in-house production of batteries for electric agricultural equipment. It is considering developing and designing its own batteries and building a new plant in Japan.
The company intends to launch electric tractors and mowers in Europe and the United States by 2030. Kubota is preparing for increased demand in Europe, the U.S., and other markets by establishing a system for in-house production of batteries, which determine the running time of electric agricultural machinery.
Kubota currently manufactures diesel engines for agricultural machinery, mainly in Thailand and Japan and ships them to the United States and Europe for final assembly. Regarding batteries, which are a key component of electric agricultural machinery, President Kitao said, “As with engines, we would like to be able to produce batteries for Asian markets in Thailand, and those for Japan, Europe, and the United States in Japan.”
Monthly news and analysis from PSR’s experts
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