PowerTALK™, February 2023

In This Issue

Read in the February 2023 issue of PowerTALK News about the 240 ton EV mining truck than can charge in 30 minutes. At the same time, Volvo unveils an electric mixer truck and Japanese OEMs push to develop battery production in North America.

  • Alternative Power
    • • 240 Ton Electric Mining Truck Charges in 30 Minutes
    • • Study Shows Plug-in Hybrids Dirtier Than We Thought
    • • From Diesel to DC
    • • Volvo Unveils Electric Concrete Mixer Truck
  • Global: MC Market Grows 5.48%
  • N. America: Charging Infrastructure Blocks Adoption for BEV’s
  • DataPoint: Dumpers/Tenders
  • Brazil/S. America:
    • • Hitech Electric To Produce 100% EV LCVs
    • • Hyundai Keeps Gamma Engine in Units for Colombia
    • • Legislation for AG Tractors Cabin in Brazil Has Changes
    • • January Truck Production in Brazil drops 72%
  • Europe: Deutz, Daimler Align
  • China: Adoption of New Energy Commercial Vehicles Pushed
  • Japan: OEMs Seek Battery Production Channel in NA
  • South Korea: Hyundai To Start Operations at Plant in Vietnam
  • SE Asia: Kubota Seeks Manpower
  • India: Budget Focuses on Capex

DATAPOINT: NA Harvesters, 2023 Production

470 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of harvesters to be produced in North America in 2023.

The combine harvester, often simply called a combine, is a machine that harvests grain crops. The name derives from its combining three separate operations comprising harvesting—reaping, threshing, and winnowing—into a single process.

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Market Share: With 52% of total units produced, Deere leads in production of harvesters in North America.  In second position, with combined plant total, is Oxbo International with 25%; third, Flory with 10%.     PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, for Power Systems Research

DATAPOINT: NA ATVs, 2023 Production

288,000 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of ATVs to be produced in North America in 2023.

ATV is a short term for All Terrain Vehicle. It commonly has 4 wheels and is designed to be driven off road. It seats one person, or sometimes two, one in front of the other.

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Market Share: With 28% of total units produced, Polaris leads in the production of 4-wheeled ATVs in North America.  In second position and third position are Honda and Yamaha Motor with 22% and 18.5%, respectively.   PSR

Carol Turner is Senior Analyst-Global Operations, at Power Systems Research

Honda Plans Personal Electric Motorcycles

JAPAN REPORT

Honda said it plans to produce a motor-driven electric motorcycle for individuals in Japan by the end of 2023. This will be the first time Honda produces a product for the public in Japan.

Overall, Honda said it plans to launch more than 10 models of electric motorcycles worldwide by 2025. Their goal is to increase overall sales, including pedal-powered and electric bicycles, mainly in China and India. The company plans to increase its sales to 3.5 million units worldwide by 2030, more than 20 times the 2021 level.

The EM1e electric scooter was unveiled March 17, 2023, in Japan. It has a cruising range of approximately 40 km and uses replaceable batteries. The price is expected to be higher than gasoline-powered scooters with a displacement of about 50 liters. The company plans to launch the moped equipped with pedals that can be pedaled with the feet, and five other motorized bicycle models in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Japan by 2024.

Electric motorcycles face the problem that on-board batteries are expensive and production costs are more than 50% higher than those of internal combustion engine models. Honda plans to increase its global sales to 1 million units by 2026, and further to 3.5 million units by 2030. However, demand for internal combustion engines is strong in emerging countries, and Honda intends to maintain its annual production capacity of 20 million two-wheeled gasoline vehicles until 2030.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: Honda is finally bringing an electric model to the consumer market. Yamaha already sells the E-Vino to individuals. Harley is spinning off its electric motorcycle division to attract investment, and India’s Hero will release its VIDA electric motorcycle in 2022 and is working with a U.S. company to develop new products.

All companies are very ambitious about electric motorcycles, but there are still many challenges to be overcome before they become widespread. As a first mover example, Taiwan’s Gogoro is doing well by developing a network of battery exchange stations. Honda’s EM1e is equipped with a single replaceable battery, and by taking the battery pack home after use and recharging it at a power outlet at home, the vehicle can start running the next day with a fully charged battery.

The handle makes the battery look easy to carry, but at 10.3 kg, it may be difficult for women to accept it. The spread of battery exchange station networks like those in Taiwan has just begun in Japan, and charging stations in urban areas are still in their infancy. PSR

Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia for Power Systems Research

EPA Introduces Phase Three GHG Emission Standards

NORTH AMERICA REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

In early May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a virtual public hearing regarding the Phase 3 greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy duty trucks.  There are various comments and opinions from the stakeholders that attended the hearing.  Along with introducing the Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) rules to begin for MY 2028 trucks, the EPA also revised the Phase 2 GHG standards for the MY 2027 truck standards. 

This link from CCJ (Commercial Carrier Journal) is a good overview of the conference.

CCJ: ‘Destined to fail’: Trucking sounds off to EPA on new Phase 3 greenhouse-gas regs

The Environmental Protection Agency this week held virtual public hearings related to its Phase 3 greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, unveiled last month. Among the dozens who testified during the hearings, trucking industry stakeholders were part of a small minority advocating for EPA to take a step back and reconsider the proposed standards that would take effect beginning with model-year 2027 trucks.

Read More»

Rural India May Play Vital Role in EV Adoption

INDIA REPORT
Aditya Kondejkar

Electric vehicles (EVs) witnessed strong growth in the Indian market in 2022, with a three-fold increase in sales as compared to the year before. Official data shows that Indians have bought 2,780,000 EVs since January 2023 at an average of more than 90,000 EVs per month. Significantly, the demand for EVs is not limited to metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, but is increasing in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets as well.

Source: Financial Express    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: While the growth of EVs has been primarily focused on urban areas of India, we are seeing a significantly improved adoption of EVs in rural parts of the country. The statistics from Vahan, the national vehicle registry, reveal that sales of electric cars and 3ws from the contribution of the top 10 districts in India has dropped significantly from 55%-60% in fiscal 2021 to 25%-30% in fiscal 2022. In the 2Ws segment, the percentage has dropped from 40%-45% to 15%-20%. The noticeable gaps here are being filled up by smaller towns and rural India.  

Read More»

China’s Changan Auto To Build EV Plant in Thailand

SOUTHEAST ASIA: THAI REPORT

Changan Automobile Group, a major Chinese automobile manufacturer, will establish a new plant for electric vehicles such as EVs in Thailand, according to the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI). The investment will be US$ 284 million (9.8 billion baht or about 38 billion yen), and construction is expected to be completed within a few years. The initial production capacity will be 100,000 vehicles a year, and on-board batteries will also be manufactured. The Thai government has established an incentive program to encourage local production of EVs, and Chinese EV giants have been actively investing in the country.

In addition to EVs, the new plant will produce electric vehicles such as HVs and PHVs. The company plans to supply vehicles to Southeast Asian countries, Australia, South Africa, and other markets.

Read More»

PowerTALK™, May 2023

Read about Show Reports in Europe and South America in the May issue of PowerTALK Report. In this issue, you’ll also find a global forecast for inboard marine engines, Kia’s plans for tailored EVs and Weichai’s plans to join forces with BYD to jointly produce batteries.

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Alternative Power:
    • Caterpillar and NMG Join Forces
    • Volkswagen Plans Its Largest Battery Factory In Canada
    • Cummins To Invest $1 Billion in Hydrogen Network
    • Japan’s Love of Hydrogen Power Could Lead To Failure
  • Global: Marine Inboard Market Forecast: US$4.45B
  • North America: EPA Releases Phase Three GHG Standards
  • DataPoint: North American Lawn Mowers
  • Brazil/South America:
    • Show Report: Agrishow 2023
    • Show Report: Automec Special
  • Europe: Show Report: Hannover Messe 2023
  • Japan: Hitachi Plans Remote Excavator
  • South Korea: Kia Plans Customer Specific EVs
  • Thailand:  China To Build EV Plant in Thailand
  • China: Weichai, BYD To Jointly Produce Batteries
  • India: Rural Areas Play Vital Role in EV Adoption

Indonesia Plans To Become Major Player in Car Industry

SOUTHEAST ASIA: INDONESIA REPORT

Amid the global shift to EVs, Indonesia is vying to become the new leader in this segment.

Indonesia has already surpassed Thailand in passenger car production and has begun full-scale EV production ahead of Thailand. Thailand has begun to defend its position as the auto manufacturing hub of Southeast Asia by offering preferential policies for EVs, including subsidies for both domestic production and sales.

Indonesia’s greatest strength is its abundance of nickel, which is used in car batteries. It is said to have the largest nickel reserves in the world, and investment in this resource is growing rapidly. In April, the Indonesian government announced that it was considering investing in a nickel production venture involving Ford of the United States and that VW of Germany was also considering participation.

Read More»