Search Results for: globalnorth-america-markets-promise-more-growth-2017

2020-07-26

National Grid Joins Switch-on Mode Team

Qin Fen
Qin Fen

In July, MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology summoned a meeting with local governments, industry associations and automotive companies on battery switch-on implementation.  People attending offered thoughts on implementing battery switch-on operations, sharing recommendations for policy and discussing challenges of proposed actions.

Source: D1 EV     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Electric vehicle development is facing several different technology road maps.  While the automotive industry prefers plug-in and charging, grid companies are more inclined to favor the battery switch-on mode based on grid reliability. 

Such debate is good for advancing electrification in the auto industry, it is vital to have all participants’ input before promoting electric vehicles on a larger scale. PSR

Qin Fen is Business Development Manager – China, for Power Systems Research

2020-10-28

TADA Raises US$5 Million To Enter EV Tuk Market

Singapore-based MVLLabs, the operator of car dispatch service TADA, has raised US$5 million. MVLLabs is a company that operates a mobility ecosystem based on the blockchain protocol. TADA, a no-fee car dispatch platform built on MVL’s blockchain, launched in Singapore in 2018.

In 2020 they are also expanding into Cambodia and Vietnam. MVLLabs plans to use the funds raised to facilitate continuous expansion and further develop the mobility ecosystem.

According to them, mobility data such as transactions, journeys, accidents and vehicle maintenance are recorded and connected within a single MVL ecosystem. Users can interact with the MVL ecosystem on the blockchain through connected services such as TADA and other upcoming services. Operating in Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam, TADA has over 50,000 drivers and more than 500,000 users.

Source: BRIDGE (The original article was partially revised by the author.)

PSR Analysis: Unicorn companies in Southeast Asia have been raising large amounts of capital. Tech companies are solid. They are cleverly combining sophisticated business strategies with promotion to attract investors.

There has been a noticeable trend in the past for foreign companies with huge capital to invest in Southeast Asia, and the Southeast Asian governments have also been eager to attract factories in the region in anticipation of this. But now, in addition to that trend, homegrown companies are making their presence felt by challenging the local market. As COVID-19 is bringing globalization to a standstill, the trend of local companies growing as a local economic base will accelerate further.

Three-wheeled taxis with various names such as Tuk, Bajaj, Tricycle, etc. can be found in many cities in Southeast Asia. For example, there are about 22,000 registered tricycle taxis in Thailand. In the Philippines, there are an estimated 2.5 to 3 million tricycle taxis. However, air pollution due to exhaust emissions and noise pollution due to engine noise are two of the main problems, and there are calls for the adoption of EVs as a solution to these problems.

Several companies have carried out test deliveries of EV Tuk Tuks, but there have been a number of breakdowns in the past because of exposure to heavy rain during the rainy season. It will be interesting to see what strategies companies with no previous experience in vehicle development will adopt to enter this field, where durability is strongly demanded. PSR

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

2020-11-24

Makita Engine Products To Be Discontinued in March 2022

Makita, a major power tool company, will discontinue the production of engine products such as engine mowers, engine chainsaws, and other engine products for garden equipment at the end of March 2022. The company will concentrate its resources on its mainstay rechargeable power tools and garden equipment, for which demand is expected to increase in the future. Annual sales of engine products account for less than 2% of the total.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: I visited Makita’s booth at the Agri Week exhibition in October. Engine models were not on exhibit and had been removed from their catalog. HIKOKI had the same situation. I forecast that battery models will account for more than 95% of the total hand tool market in 2021.

This is a sign that battery models have evolved to a level comparable to engine models, even in the power-demanding products. The engine model has a better ability in terms of long hours of continuous operation, but this is not a reason to extend the life of the engine model. Long working hours can be done by simply replacing the batteries. The fact that these batteries can be shared across a wide range of products, from chainsaws to impact drivers, has prompted the company to seek user understanding by introducing sales methods that offer lower unit prices when multiple batteries are purchased at once.   PSR

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

2020-12-21

Haval Starts Building Motor Plant in Russia

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Construction of the new Haval plant is based on an investment contract. The new plant, which is scheduled to start production in 2022, Haval is expected to increase localization of its cars.

The plant is located in Tula region, and its production should be enough to produce engines for more than 90% of the Haval cars sold in Russia.

Investment in the project is estimated to be about US$ 55 million (4 billion Rubles). Planned annual production capacity is 80K engines.  

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This event is an example of the strategy to develop relationships between the Russian government and large international OEMs. Large car makers are allowed to sell their product in Russian market while they bring production capacities (and technologies) into the country.    PSR

Maxim Sakov, Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

2021-04-25

Sales of Russian GAZ Trucks Started in Australia

Local dealers have received all-terrain trucks Sadko Next built especially for the local market with altered steering wheel and pedals and with different optics.

The AAV company from Brisbane has become a distributor of GAZ. The model has been introduced in local market under the name GAZ Track Master 4×4.

Tech specs of the Australian version of the truck are identical to its Russian version. It has 4.4 liter turbo-diesel of 150hp. It works with 5-step manual transmission and a transfer case, operated from the head panel. Basic options included cruise-control, air conditioner, multi-media system, snorkel and electric winch. Vehicle can move 2500 kg of cargo.

The cost of a truck is 90,000 Australian dollars, 40% more than in Russia. According to the local distributor, closest competitor price starts at AUD 120 000.

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: The all-terrain vehicles market is not so big, but it can be used to open a door for other models. Sadko Next has recently introduced by GAZ Group. The vehicle has a good reputation because of a general quality and a moderate cost of ownership. PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

2021-05-24

Continental Wins First Order for CV High-Performance Computer

Frankfurt, Germany–For the first time, Continental has won an order to supply the commercial vehicle sector with telematics units that include high-performance computers. This means that the technology company now also offers a solution that can master the increasing requirements for connectivity, complexity and functional scope in trucks.

Continental will use its telematics know-how – already proven in the passenger car sector – to complete this order from Volkswagen. Last year, Continental was the first supplier to put a high-performance computer with software into serial production. The computer connects the electronics architecture, controls data streams, and enables over-the-air updates for VW’s all-electronic ID series.

In its solution for trucks, Continental combines the telematics unit with a high-performance computer, enabling the mapping of a large number of additional functions and different applications. Particularly in the efficiency-driven transportation industry, this entails competition-relevant applications ranging from the digitalization of the logistics chain and remote diagnostics to secure over-the-air software updates.

Continental says its solution can manage the large data streams generated in the vehicle much better than conventional computers. As a result, it not only can create opportunities for even more innovative functions and services, but also can ensure a high degree of flexibility for the customer.

Founded in 1871, Continental offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.   PSR

2021-10-24

Subsidy Program for Scrapping Diesel Vehicles Ineffective

FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT

About half of those who received South Korean government aid to scrap their old diesel vehicles early have purchased diesel vehicles again, according to a new study. The government spent 845.4 billion won (about 79.6 billion yen) in the last five years (2016-2020) to scrap 959,000 aging diesel vehicles, but the number of all diesel vehicles increased by 9% during the same period. The government has pointed out that diesel vehicles are the main culprit of particulate matter such as PM2.5 and has implemented a policy to “eliminate” them, but this policy has not been effective.

There is subsidy support if old diesel cars are scrapped depending on the level of emissions in operation. In addition, there are additional subsidies if you buy an eco-car or a gasoline/LPG car.

If old diesel vehicles with a gross weight of less than 3.5 tons are scrapped early, they can receive up to 6 million won (about 570,000 yen) in subsidies. According to data from the Ministry of the Environment, 48,757 people in the Seoul metropolitan area purchased new cars in the first half of last year after receiving subsidies to scrap their old diesel vehicles. However, of the cars purchased by these people, 21,686 (44%) were diesel vehicles. Moreover, 15,990 of them were used diesel cars, 2.8 times more than the number of new cars (5,696).

Source: Chosun Online

PSR Analysis: It is hard to say that this is a flaw in the system, but the reality is that this system has not achieved its purpose and has produced the opposite effect. The reason for this situation is simple: many of the users of trucks under 3.5 tons are small businesses, and considering their expenses, they do not choose gasoline vehicles, and new vehicles are not an option, so they choose used diesel vehicles.

EVs and fuel cell vehicles, which are now being widely reported, are attracting attention as vehicles equipped with next-generation technologies. However, especially in the case of commercial vehicles, the high initial cost is frowned upon. The market should take another look at the fact that inexpensive vehicles that can easily demonstrate their contribution to business will be selected. PSR

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

2022-03-19

Middle East Energy Show Is Back Live

EUROPE REPORT

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

The last two years have seen a turnaround in the global economy and the way of doing business.  Many habits have changed, and trade shows were severely impacted by the pandemic.  For 2022, however the MEE is back live in Dubai.  The floor plan has been reduced, removing roughly half of the space used in previous edition.  This is not a surprise considering that the show was not busy in 2020, with many last-minute withdrawals, and that it was cancelled for 2021.  With many countries around the world relaxing Covid restrictions, attendance was positive, with the halls and stands buzzing during the show.  One common comment, it’s good to be back.

The energy sector is thriving now, pushed by investments in renewables and need for backup power.  During the last few years, critical power (Data centres and hospitals), infrastructure investments and telecommunication have created a strong demand for diesel and gas generators. 

However, the current supply chain shortages, logistic issues and rising costs have represented a tricky challenge for the industry.  From OEMs to engines and components suppliers, companies are working around the clock to find solutions to deliver their products to partners and customers. 

While in the third quarter of 2021, there was optimism looking at 2022, things are not developing as hoped.  In fact, most companies reported an even more challenging environment, with components and raw material shortages continuing, rising prices, and increasing shipping costs.  As already mentioned, during our 2021 forecast, we are not expecting a significant improvement in the supply chain until 2023.  PSR

Emiliano Marzoli is Manager-European Operations for Power Systems Research

2022-03-20

Penetration Rate of Intelligent EVs in China in 2030 May Exceed 90%

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

“China has the largest automobile production in the world, the most complete industrial foundation, supply chain foundation, talent foundation and market foundation,” said Li Bin, chairman of Weilai automobile.

These factors provide China with a significant advantage in developing intelligent EVs, he said “In fact, if we can have the advantages of these four aspects at the same time, China is the only one in the world,” he added.

The penetration rate of new energy has exceeded 10% in 2021. From the trend, this target will exceed 20% in 2025. China’s penetration rate of intelligent electric vehicles in 2030 will exceed 90% in new car sales. In recent years, with the accelerated popularization of intelligent electric vehicles, the automotive industry will once again become the commanding height of scientific and technological innovation.

Source:  Beijing News     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Today, new bus procurement is fully electrified. Buses have fixed routes, and the operation range is relatively stable. At the end of 2020, all buses in key regions and major cities have been replaced with new energy. The trend of bus electrification will continue to be promoted nationwide and gradually electric buses will replace diesel vehicles.

Considering that the running distance and working environment are relatively controllable, the market promotion of oil and electricity price difference, and the gradual completion of bus electrification, taxis will also accelerate electrification.

The second step is to accelerate the electrification of trucks such as urban logistics, environmental sanitation and muck trucks. The State Council proposes to promote green and low-carbon means of transportation, port and airport services, urban logistics distribution and postal express to give priority to the use of new energy or clean energy and strengthen the charging and switching facilities of new energy vehicles.

The penetration rate of private car electrification will also continue to increase. According to the current situation, electric vehicles can replace unified fuel vehicles in terms of price and mileage around 2025. At the same time, with the promotion of electrification in the field of public transport and trucks, driving the continuous improvement of infrastructure, the electrification of private cars will proceed more smoothly.  PSR

Jack Hao is Senior Research Manager – China, for Power Systems Research

2023-02-20

240 Ton EV Mining Truck Can Charge in 30 Minutes

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

A 240-ton mining haul truck is being fitted with a 1.4 megawatt-hour (MWh) prototype battery system that global green energy company Fortescue has developed with equipment maker Liebherr.

UK-based engineering company WAE Technologies, (acquired by Fortescue in March 2022), completed and delivered the battery system to Fortescue’s workshop in Perth, Australia. The battery will be assembled and installed in the mining haul truck before it’s transported to the Pilbara in Western Australia for onsite testing this year.

The battery system marks several firsts for an electric mining haul truck battery: In addition to having energy storage of 1.4 MWh, it also has the ability to fast-charge in 30 minutes, and it can regenerate power as it drives downhill.

Source:Electrek: Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This is a good view of the potential for all mining trucks, but it should be noted that a lot of these huge mining trucks are diesel-electric to start with, (a diesel generator powering electric drives), so this is a matter of replacing the generator with the battery pack. They also can recharge on the way down, so the battery size can be relatively smaller.     PSR

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research