Scooters are motorized 2-wheeled vehicles used primarily for recreational.
Production climbed sharply in 2022, increasing by 24,686 units, or 14.6%, from 2021. We expect production to climb in 2023 as well, growing by about 3,725 units or 2%.
During the past few months, we have seen significant changes in the bus market in Europe and North America as operations convert from internal combustion engines to zero-emission buses.
In Europe, Scania and Volvo are moving from building complete buses to a chassis only build. The high cost of zero-emission buses and a competitive market are primary reasons for this. The expected growth of zero-emission buses is forcing the OEMs to better streamline operations, and we expect to see other large OEMs transition down this path.
Source: AMS
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
CleanTechnica’s 2023 provisional report shows a 40% growth in demand for lithium-ion batteries in the automotive sector, reaching 712 GWh. CATL and BYD lead the market, with CATL holding a 34% share due to its successful partnerships and innovative battery technologies. BYD moved into second place with 16% share, up from 14% in 2022, replacing LG, which slid to third place with a 15% share. It had 17% in 2022. BYD grew 59% YoY.
CATL produced 243,000 units in 2023, up from 164,000 units in 2022. BYD produced 116,000 units in 2023, an increase from 73,000 in 2022.
LG lost share in 2023 due to the lack of new orders, GM’s troubled ramp-up of its new EVs, the end of life of some important volume models, and also the fact that volume from some clients, like Mercedes or Ford, is being diverted to the competition.
Rolls Royce Power Systems Business Unit, based in Friedrichshafen, Germany, reported sales of EUR 4.56 billion in fiscal 2023, a 16% increase over 2022. Operating profit hit 10.2%, up from 8.4% in 2022.
The operating profit increase is due to the investments in transformation and process optimization, implementation of a new commercial policy, better cost, and stock management.
Strong demand for standby power generation especially for data centers, implementation of the “From bridge to the propeller” strategy for large yachts, and development of an energy storage systems in Europe integrating renewable energies into the Duch public grid have contributed significantly to the revenue growth.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The 5th Annual TWF (Two Wheeler Forum) took place on Feb. 21 and 22, 2024, at the India International Convention & Expo Centre in Dwarka, New Delhi. Hosted in partnership with Trak N Tell, the event spotlighted aspects of the Indian two-wheeler and three-wheeler industry, spanning both electric and internal combustion engines.
The landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) in India is undergoing a transformative shift, with the recent 2 wheeler, 3 wheeler, and EV show held in Delhi showcasing the industry’s dynamic evolution. Despite constituting less than 1% of total vehicle sales, the electric vehicle sector holds immense potential, and is projected to grow to over 5% in the years to come. Currently, the Indian roads host over 5 lakh electric 2 wheelers and a modest number of electric cars. However, the market’s growth trajectory remains subject to fluctuations, predominantly influenced by governmental incentives.
On March 28, Kubota unveiled the first prototype of a fuel cell-powered tractor. Although no release date has been set, the company will consider installing fuel cells in unmanned, automated tractors. Kubota is also developing battery-powered agricultural equipment, but the company believes that hydrogen-powered fuel cells will be effective for medium-large sized agricultural equipment.
Kubota is rushing to commercialize fuel cells because it believes demand will grow in developed countries such as Japan, Europe and the United States as a result of the trend toward decarbonization. The prototype machine has about 60 horsepower and has three hydrogen tanks installed above the cabin, which are used in Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell car. It generates electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen to power the engine. In the experiment, a tractor was equipped with a plowing unit to till the soil.
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