PowerTALK™, September 2023

Read about plans by the state of California to build a hydrogen refueling network even though the state has only 12,000 hydrogen-powered cars in the September issue of PowerTALK News. Chris Fisher provides an update on hydrogen powered commercial vehicles and Michael Aistrup delivers an update on e-bicycles.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT
    • California Building Hydrogen Refueling Network for Cars
    • New Zinc-Air Batteries Challenge Lithium Batteries
    • The Truth About EV Battery Recycling
    • Australian Mining — Can It Power All The New EVs?
  • GLOBAL:
    • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Commercial Vehicle Update
    • E-Bike Market Analysis
  • DATAPOINT: NA Tractor/Loader/Backhoes (TLBs)   
  • BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA: 
    • Companies Support Fleet Renewal Program
    • Motorcycle Production To Reach 1.5 Million in 2023
    • BEV Demand Boosts Brazil Mining Investment
  • JAPAN: Target of 300,000 EV Chargers by 2030 Planned
  • SOUTH KOREA:  Battery Companies Increase Sales
  • VIETNAM: Ridesharing Giant Gojek Converts To EVs
  • CHINA: Sany MOTA Launches Battery Rental Business
  • INDIA: Bus Sector Bounces Back; EVs Fuel Post-Covid Growth

2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records

EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

The 46th Cannes Yachting Festival was the largest one ever, hosting 610 exhibitors and 705 boats. The Cannes Yachting Festival remains the largest and the most visited European pleasure boat show organized on the water.

The show’s organizers said the event has never hosted that many motor and sailing, mono and multi hulls, outboard boats, ribs and semi-rigid boats, tenders, electric, hydro-foiling, and other types of boats. 

The show ran Sept. 12-17, offering six days of meetings and exchange with boat builders, engine and equipment manufacturers, designers and architects and other professionals from the pleasure marine industry.

The event hosted by a beautiful Mediterranean Cannes attracted 55,000 visitors coming from more than 130 worldwide countries. As usual, it was organized in two locations in the city, Vieux Port and Port Conto des Cannes. Motorboats and yachts in all sizes and with all propulsion types were displayed at the Vieux Port and sailing yachts and catamarans at the Port Canto des Cannes.

Read More»

Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo

The Azure A12 BR electric bus, from China’s TEVX Higer, has started operating in the South Zone of São Paulo. The vehicle has been put into use by Transwolff. According to the company, the 12-meter-long vehicle was made especially for the Brazilian market. It has a low floor and a suspension “kneeling” system. This feature provides more safety, comfort, and ease when boarding and disembarking passengers.

The bus has wide aisles and an access ramp at the central door. Thus, there is more accessibility for people with special needs related to reduced mobility.

Read More»

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»

Malaysia’s Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand

SOUTHEAST ASIA: MALAYSIA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Malaysian state-owned carmaker Proton is considering building an EV plant in Thailand, according to reports from Thailand government officials. The Thai government has long focused on promoting related industries.

At a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, where he is visiting, the Thai Prime Minister said, “I hope we can confirm clear steps to invite the plant and proceed quickly,” and indicated that he plans to work out the details with the parties involved soon. The amount of investment and production capacity were not disclosed.

Proton was established in 1983 as a national policy to revive Malaysia’s automotive industry. Currently, the company is rushing to switch to EVs after receiving an investment from Geely, a private Chinese automotive giant.

Read More»

Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

Sonalika Group is planning to spend approximately $100 million to set up a manufacturing facility for the production of tractors aimed at the international export market. Production will be used to developing products tailored to meet customer requirements in Latin America, Europe, United States, Oceania and South Asia

“We are looking at investing $100 million to set up a dedicated facility for exports. The new unit will have total installed capacity of 100,000 units and will be commissioned within the next two years,” according to Gaurav Saxena, director and CEO of the company’s International Tractors Ltd., operation.

One-third of the group’s revenue is attributed to exports, and the organization aims to be among the world’s top three tractor brands by 2030, considering the global sale of 1.5 million tractors. Presently, ITL exports 35,000 units and has set a target to reach 100,000 units within the next seven years.

Read More»

Weichai-BYD JV Begins Production of Battery Plant

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

The joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD has started construction on its factory, which has attracted widespread attention and has quickly become a hot topic in the industry. On Nov. 3, 2023, in Shandong Province, the Weichai (Yantai) New Energy Power Industrial Park project, a joint venture between Weichai Power and BYD, officially began construction.

Project plans call for the creation of a research and development and manufacturing base for batteries, motors, electronic controls, and electric drive assemblies that run through new energy commercial vehicles.

After the project is put into operation, the direct beneficiaries will include Weichai New Energy Commercial Vehicles under the Weichai Group and located in Yantai.

May 12, 2023, Weichai Power and BYD signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen to jointly produce power batteries in Shandong.

Read More»

PowerTALK™, November 2023

EV activity continues to increase across the globe as reported in the November issue of PowerTALK News. This issue features EV reports from China, Japan, North America, Brazil, South Korea and Thailand.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • China Discovers Unique Battery Material
  • Toyota Joins Race To Mass Produce Solid-State Batteries
  • Could Toyota’s Ammonia Engine Bring the End of EVs?
  • White Hydrogen Could Reduce Decarbonization

GLOBAL: Outboard Marine Engine Market Hits $5.5 Billion
NORTH AMERICA: Transitioning from ICE Buses to Zero-Emission Engines
DATAPOINT: NA Graders      
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • XCMG To Invest US$ 55 Million in Brazil Electric Truck Plant
  • Vehicle Production in Brazil Stagnates
  • Brazilian Marcopolo Approves its Fuel Cell Bus in Europe
  • VW Announces Pickup Truck To Fight with Fiat Toro

JAPAN: Kubota and Sumitomo Plan Mutual Supply of Equipment
SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai Sells EVs To Oil-Producing Countries
THAILAND:
  China Auto Manufacturer To Invest in Thai EV Motorbike Plant
CHINA: Weichai-BYD JV Begins 56 Billion Yuan, 50GWh Battery Project
INDIA: Construction Equipment Sector Poised for Substantial Growth