29% of 2023 Trucks Fit with Euro 6 Engines

Data released by Anfavea about July Sales and Production show only 29% of the trucks sold in 2023, and produced during the year, met the PROCONVE P8 / Euro VI emissions regulation.

From January to July 2023, 53,900 trucks were produced, 36.2% below the 84,500 units produced in same period last year. This amount is also lower than that produced in the same period in 2021, when 89,500 trucks were produced on the Brazilian OEM assembly lines.

Truck production is still at a slow pace as the market continues to generate low demand for the new PROCONVE P8 technology.

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Redesigned Zinc-Air Batteries ‘Better’ than Lithium, say Researchers

Researchers at Edith Cowan University in Australia have redesigned zinc-air batteries and have found the technology to be preferable to lithium-ion batteries – even for electric vehicles, and they claim to have overcome the technology’s notorious power output limitations.

Zinc-air batteries consist of a zinc negative electrode and an air positive electrode. The chemistry holds promise and is significantly more sustainable than lithium-based counterparts, but the poor performance of air electrodes and short lifespan has limited the technology’s power output.

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Korean Battery Companies Increase Sales Significantly

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

The consolidated financial results for the April-June period of the three major Korean battery companies show significant sales growth. LG Energy Solution’s sales grew 73% y/y and operating profit was 2.4x y/y. SK On’s sales grew 2.9x y/y due to the expansion of EV production. Samsung SDI’s sales grew 23% y/y.

LG Energy, the world’s second largest automotive battery maker, posted a 73% y/y increase in sales to KRW 8.774 trillion (approximately $6.6 billion) and a 2.4x y/y increase in operating profit to KRW 461 billion (approximately $340 million), while its joint production with GM of the U.S., which will begin operations in 2022, also contributed to the continued growth in sales and profit.

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PowerTALK™, October 2023

China’s growing success with EV sales in Europe is causing EU officials to consider placing tariffs on Chinese EV imports to balance the playing field. Read about this and more in the October issue of PowerTALK News.

IN THIS ISSUE

ALTERNATIVE POWER REPORT

  • Tesla Tests Diner with Theater and Supercharger
  • Lithium Deposit In Extinct Nevada Volcano Could Be World’s Largest
  • Both Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cars Needed
  • EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs

GLOBAL:

  • Global Economy Seeing Modest Growth with Positive Outlook
  • E-Motorcycle Product Report

DATAPOINT: NA Scooters/Minibikes/Mopeds         

EUROPE: 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival Sets Records
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA:

  • Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production
  • Brazil’s School Bus Program Postponed
  • Higer Azure Electric Bus Debuts in São Paulo

JAPAN: Komatsu Plans Electric Excavator Developed with Honda
MALAYSIA:  Proton Considers Building EV Plant in Thailand
CHINA: FAW Jiefang, CATL Launch New Energy Venture
INDIA: Sonalika Group Plans $100 Million for Export Facility  

EU May Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs

In her annual State of The EU address on Sept. 13, 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested that Chinese manufacturers are dumping Chinese EVs on EU customers that are priced below what domestic manufacturers charge.

She suggested that the root cause of the problem is the heavy subsidies provided to Chinese automakers by the central government — subsidies that allow them to sell Chinese EVs at artificially low prices to the detriment of domestic companies. If so, she warned the EU would consider imposing new tariffs on Chinese cars to level the playing field.

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Lithium Deposit In Nevada Could Be World’s Largest

The Chinese were way ahead of the rest of the world when it came to recognizing the value of lithium. While most nations slept, China was busy identifying lithium deposits around the world and either buying them or negotiating deals with those who may not have fully appreciated lithium’s value.

It incentivized others to seek alternatives. New companies sprang up to extract lithium from salt brine, especially in the Salton Sea area of California. But these are years away from being able to supply America’s and the world’s needs.

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Brazil To Become Hub for EV Bus Chassis Production

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT 
Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Mercedes is exhibiting its electric bus chassis eO500U at Busworld in Brussels targeting other markets where the body is assembled over the bus chassis. Traditionally, the exports of Mercedes from Brazil are over 50% of the total production and it targets to expand this percentage with the new BEV, that has WEG drives, BorgWarner batteries assembled in Brazil with imported battery supplies.

Source: Valor Economico     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: While the push from São Paulo city to buy only BEV buses in the near future jeopardizes current chassis manufacturers business, it boos the development of BEV chassis and allow exports to other countries. Mercedes runs against the clock to compete with players like BYD and Higher with BEV chassis already developed.   PSR

Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development South America for Power Systems Research

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.

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China Auto OEM To Invest in Thai EV Motorbike Plant

THAILAND REPORT

Chinese automotive equipment manufacturer Suzhou Harmontronics Automation Technology plans to build an electric motorcycle factory in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), eyeing a market set to grow, thanks to government subsidies.

The company plans to invest $281 million (10 billion baht) to secure annual production capacity of 150,000 units by 2028. The plans were revealed by the office of the EEC.

Suzhou Harmontronics will build the factory at an industrial park in Chonburi Province, within the EEC zone, and will assemble electric motorcycles and manufacturing replaceable batteries and charging equipment at the facility. A start date for operations was not disclosed.

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