Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed

Initially scheduled to begin Sept. 12, 2023, the auction of the federal program “Caminhos da Escola” was postponed indefinitely. A new date has not been set. The new stage, which provides for the purchase of 163,000 buses was eagerly awaited by chassis and body manufacturers, would have been delayed until 2024 because of the time needed for the production.

The reason is technical: according to the bidding notice published at the end of last month, important chassis manufacturers as Volvo and Merecedes would be excluded from the bidding process due to new certification demanded.

Read More»

Komatsu To Develop Electric Excavator with Honda

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT

Komatsu says it will launch the PC05E-1 electric micro excavator, jointly developed with Honda, in the Japanese market in October. In the domestic construction equipment market, where the electrification market has not yet been developed, Komatsu plans to quickly create a market to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 by introducing a variety of models.

The machine is an expanded version of the PC01E-1 electric micro excavator, which was introduced to the domestic market in March 2022. The current “PC05-1” micro excavator, which is widely used for small civil engineering and construction work as well as gas, electric and plumbing sites, has been electrified by installing the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: or electric power unit (eGX) as a power source, like the “PC01E-1”. Komatsu aims to achieve electrification by FY2023.

Read More»

Brazilian Marcopolo OKs Fuel Cell bus in Europe

With a capacity of 53 passengers, Marcopolo’s model, the Audace Fuel Cell, is a road unit. The version of the product made in China that has been exhibited and already approved for Europe, carries the cylinders in the luggage rack. Kent Phang, the Sales Director of Allenbus, partner of Marcopolo on the FC vehicle, says there is also an option to place the hydrogen cylinders over the body. With four cylinders, the vehicle exceeds 500 kilometers, according to the company. With six cylinders it is possible to reach 900 kilometers.  

Read More»

PowerTALK™, December 2023

Worldwide EV battery development continues at a fast pace, US outdoor recreation industry hits $1 trillion, and Honda plans to drop mass production of its Honda “e” . Read about these items and more in the December PowerTALK News from Power Systems Research.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • High Energy, Cobalt-Free Lithium Ion Battery Developed
  • CATL Creates Fast Charging Skateboard
  • Record Low EV Battery Prices Reported in 2023
  • US Discovers Lithium Bonanza for EV Batteries

NORTH AMERICA: 

  • Electrify Where It Makes Sense
  • Outdoor Recreation Adds $1.5 Trillion to US Economy in 2022

DATAPOINT: NA Combines
EUROPE: Kobelco Expands European Headquarters
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • Argentina Vehicle Production Grows in November
  • Brazil Off-Highway Machine Sales Continue To Decline
  • VW Trucks and Bus To Restart Two Shifts in January

JAPAN: Honda To Drop Mass-Produced EV “Honda e”
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Motor and Apple May Partner
INDIA: Mahindra Plans To Double Tractor Exports

Thailand Lithium Deposit World’s Third Largest

THAILAND REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

The Thai government has announced the discovery of a large lithium deposit, calling the deposit the third largest in the world after Bolivia and Argentina. It has estimated reserves of approximately 14.8 million tons. The deposit was found at two sites in the southern province of Phang Nga. However, it will take some time to find out how much of the discovered resources can be used.

Thailand is keen to become the center of EV production in Southeast Asia, leveraging its experience in assembling conventional cars, and the discovery of the lithium deposit will give the country a boost in achieving this goal.

Source: AFPBB

Read More»

PowerTALK™, February 2024

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.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • CATL Expands Battery Market Share Lead in 2023
  • Electric Trucks Can Haul 100 Tons
  • Daimler’s Aims for Hydrogen Milestone
  • Toyota Maintains EV Market Skepticism

NORTH AMERICA:

  • Shell To Exit Light Duty FCEV Market in California
  • Global Powersports Market To Exceed $35 Billion in 2025

DATAPOINT: NA ATVs
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • VW To Invest US$250 Million in Argentina by 2026
  • Cummins To Produce New Off Highway Engine at Guarulhos Plant
  • Brazil Posts Record Heavy Duty Trailers Sales in January 2024  

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

PowerTALK™, March 2024

Get the current PowerTALK

In the March 2024 issue of PowerTALK News you’ll find two articles describing changes at Van Hool, the Belgian bus manufacturer, as it struggles to meet EV competition. Another EV article describes possible EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports. You can also read an update on EV battery technology from Michael Aistrup as well as a report on the record sales performance in 2023 by Rolls Royce power systems business unit by Natasa Mulahalilovic, Finance and Admin. Manager – Europe.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT:

  • Germany Drops Subsidies for Electric Semi-trucks and Buses
  • Lithium-Air EV Batteries Tapped For Net Zero Economy of The Future
  • Why Are Hydrogen Fuel Cells So Expensive?
  • Europe May Slap Retroactive Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

  • Van Hool To End City Bus Production in Belgium
  • E-Battery Technology Increases Application Opportunities

DATAPOINT: North America Trencher Production  

EUROPE:

  • Rolls Royce Posts 16% Revenue Gain
  • Van Hool Making Major Changes      

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • Car OEMs Announce US$ 14.3 Billion Investment in Brazil
  • AG and CE Segments Poised for Substantial Growth in Brazil

JAPAN: Kubota Plans To Produce Batteries for EV AG Equipment
SOUTH KOREA: SK Plans World’s Largest Semiconductor Manufacturing Base
CHINA: Electrification of Construction Machinery Industry Accelerates
INDIA: EV Market Provides Opportunities and Challenges