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Korean EVs Hyundai and Kia Doing Well in UK
FAR EAST: SOUTH KOREA REPORT
Akihiro Komuro The European EV market is expanding, and in the UK, Korean-made EVs are gaining popularity as vehicles that are more affordable than Tesla’s and that offer superior performance.
Last year in the UK, the Tesla Model 3 ranked second in sales of all passenger cars by model, marking the "first year of EVs" in earnest. However, the popular Tesla cars are not inexpensive, costing about three times as much as similarly sized gasoline-powered cars. On the other hand,…
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Volvo CE Pushing Alternative Powertrains
EUROPE REPORT
Emiliano Marzoli Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has started testing its prototype “HX04” Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Articulated truck. Carolina Diez Ferrer, Head of Advanced Engineering Programs at Volvo CE expects that this prototype will “give valuable insights into the opportunities of hydrogen in the energy transformation alongside battery-electric solutions.”
The on-going development of the hauler began in 2018 and experienced partnerships with different Swedish institutions and companies. Fun fact: The machine is nicknamed “Electric Charlie,” a homage to “Gravel Charlie,” the world’s first Articulated hauler produced by Volvo in 1966.
Shell has been involved in the project, supplying the Hydrogen refuelling station for Volvo’s test track. The Volvo HX04 is charged with 12 kg hydrogen in about 7.5 minutes, enabling it to operate for approximately four hours. Fuel cells work by combining hydrogen with oxygen and the resulting chemical reaction produces electricity which powers the machine.
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We’ll Be at the Battery Show in Stuttgart
The Battery Show Europe and the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo Europe is scheduled to be held June 28-30 at the Messe Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany. More than 6,000 attendees are expected to tour the show and visit the more than 540 exhibiting suppliers.
Power Systems Research (PSR) will have a team of analysts at the show collecting data and developing insights on alternative power sources. The team includes
Emiliano Marzoli, PSR manager of European OperationsDalibor Sablic,…
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Plant-Based Bio-fuel May Not Replace Fossil Fuels
EUROPE REPORT
Christopher Bamforth Over the last decade we have worked to reduce fossil fuel consumption in Europe without cutting back the use of our cars, trucks, and motorbikes. It was thought that by mixing diesel and fuel with crop-based bio-fuel it would reduce fossil fuel usage.
However, over the last 30 years the emission of CO2 has increased, raising questions about the effectiveness of this measure. After extended analysis from the Environmental Action Germany (DUH), it has been concluded that this may not be a solution to the problem of reducing carbon emissions.
Consider that the production and consumption of immense areas of land across the globe dedicated to the cultivation of these fuels actually have a huge environmental cost. For example, to satisfy Germany’s appetite for these natural bio-fuels, 1.3 million hectares of land have been converted to its production. This equates to 9.2 million tons of CO2 saved each year. However, if we were to dedicate this land to natural restoration projects with a portion dedicated to solar energy production, we would be able to save 27.5 million tons of CO2 each year.
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German Soccer
The European office of Power Systems Research (PSR) this season sponsored a local soccer team in Germany. The A youth of the SSG Gravenbruch is playing in the district class in the district of Offenbach am Main. The club currently occupies fourth place out of a total of 10 teams. The club is coached by Dalibor Sablic, an account manager for PSR.
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Yamaha Motor To Launch Electric Motorcycles in Europe
JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Yamaha plans to launch a series of electric motorcycles in Japan and overseas this spring. Electric motorcycles with an engine displacement equivalent to 125cc will be leased and sold on a trial basis in Europe, Japan and other countries. In response to the global trend of decarbonization, Yamaha has set a goal of reducing CO2 emissions to virtually zero by 2050. The 125cc equivalent electric motorcycle has been on the market in Taiwan, but this is the first time it has been offered in Europe and Japan.
The motorcycle has been developed based on the E01 concept vehicle, which was unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. The company avoided mentioning specifics about the range and other specifications but said that the E01 would be equipped with a high-powered fixed battery that can run at high speed while meeting the range requirements for daily use, and that it would support quick charging as well as normal charging.
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Hybrid Electric-Hydrogen Maritime Propulsion System Being Developed
EUROPE REPORT
Natasa Mulahalilovic Germany-based Torqeedo GmbH and Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH are jointly developing a hydrogen hybrid propulsion system for the marine industry. The ambitious and innovative project is provisionally named “Ma-Hy-Hy” (Marine Hydrogen Hybrid) and is funded by the Bavarian federal government until 2024.
Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH specializes in a high-tech innovative, climate neutral energy solutions, especially in CO2-neutral and emission-free hydrogen fuel cells and electric hybrid systems for stationary, automotive, rail and maritime applications. Development and production sites are located in the Munich area.
Torqeedo GmbH, as a part of the Deutz group, is a market leader in development and production of lithium batteries, solar charging equipment, electric and hybrid drives. It offers outboards and inboards, electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0,5 to 100 kW on motor level (up to 200 kW on system level).
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New Cars in Russia Cost More Than in USA and Europe
The prices for cars in Russia now exceed the prices abroad. The high prices are caused by high custom taxes, certification for Glonass satellite systems and exchange rates of national currency. After many global OEMs built assembly plants in Russia, prices for cars were equal to cars in other markets, and after fall of the Ruble exchange rate in 2014, cars became even cheaper. However, in 2021 prices have grown significantly because of a shortage of semiconductors.
For example, the minimum price of…
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MG Motors Plans To Make India An Export Hub
Aditya Kondejkar MG Motor India is considering the possibility of exporting shipments from India to markets such as South Africa and the UK along with tapping other right-hand-drive markets across the globe. Despite the current semiconductor shortage, MG motors plans to prepare for a long-term vision of increasing its exports from India. The start of the company’s South Africa operations has been delayed due to Covid-19.
MG motors has started exporting their vehicles to Nepal, and the company is preparing for the long term to make India an export hub for the neighboring markets. The carmaker has already dispatched its first batch of Hector SUVs to Nepal and plans to add Astor and ZS EV to the lineup in the Himalayan country next year.
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TSMC in Early Talks on Germany Plant
Erik Martin Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) is in early talks with the German government about potentially establishing a plant in the country, according to a senior executive.
Various factors, including government subsidies, customer demand and the talent pool, would influence its final decision, TSMC senior vice president of Europe and Asia sales Lora Ho (何麗梅) told reporters on the sidelines of a technology forum in Taipei.
The discussions come as the EU and others seek to increase domestic chip production to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions.
The chipmaker has not discussed incentives with Berlin or decided on a location, Ho said.
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