News

2022-06-25

Show Report: 2022 NEW Environmental Exposition

FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

Last month, I visited the three-day 2022 NEW Environmental Exposition, an exhibition of environment-related equipment in Tokyo. The show promoted the effective use of resources, new energy and energy reduction, and the utilization of CO2 emission reduction technologies

Source: Official Website

PSR Analysis: The exhibition featured many environment-related devices for waste treatment, demolition, bioplastics, water treatment and purification, heat utilization systems, recycling, and more.

Large equipment such as those that crush and efficiently separate debris mixed with earth, sand, and wood; metal recovery systems from seawater using special fibers, and equipment related to crushing wood, stone, and other materials were eye-catching in variety and size.

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India Amends Bio-Fuel Policy, Hikes Introduction of E20

INDIA REPORT 

Aditya Kondejkar

The government of India has amended its National Policy on Bio-fuels that will accelerate the adoption of E20, allow the use of new bio-fuel feedstocks, and grant permission for bio-fuel exports under certain conditions. 

Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: To tackle soaring fuel oil prices, India plans to introduce 20% ethanol blending with gasoline in several regions of the county beginning in April 2023, and it will be implemented nationwide starting in FY25. The Indian government has expediated the process to increase local oil production and the transition to alternative fuels to reduce the dependencies on other countries. Currently, India is using a 10% mixture of ethanol and gasoline.

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Buffett-backed BYD Will Supply Batteries To Tesla

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

BEIJING— Chinese electric vehicle (EV) and battery maker BYD is going to become Tesla’s battery supplier for the first time, a senior executive at the company backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway said recently.

“Tesla is a very successful company. BYD has great respect for Tesla and raises our hat to it,” said BYD’s executive vice president Lian Yubo in an interview with the state-owned news channel China Global Television Network (CGTN), when he was asked his thoughts of China-made vehicles in comparison with Tesla.  “(Tesla CEO) Musk and us are good friends now as we are preparing to supply batteries to it very soon. We learned a lot from Tesla,” Lian added, noting the U.S. rival’s positioning itself as a high-end EV brand.

Lian’s remark suggests BYD is set to be the second China-based battery supplier of Tesla next to CATL, the world’s largest EV battery company. LG Energy Solution, the South Korean battery maker second to CATL, and Tesla’s long-time partner Panasonic currently are another two battery makers in Tesla’s supplier list.

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Brazilian Marcopolo Launches H2 Bus in Australia

Fabio Ferraresi
Fabio Ferraresi

Brazilian-based Marcopolo has expanded its product line of renewable and zero-emission fuels. Volgren, a company owned by the Brazilian manufacturer, is Australia’s largest bus producer. It has signed an agreement with Wrightbus, an Irish bus manufacturer, and market leader with Hydrogen technology in Europe, to develop and launch hydrogen fuel cell-powered buses for the Australian market.

The first units of the Volgren-Wrightbus are expected by early 2023. The vehicles will be the first Hydrogen buses in Australia to be built by a local manufacturer using European fuel cell technology.

Source: Press Release     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Marcopolo is committed in its strategy on new propulsion, either with their own EV chassis in Brazil or with the H2 chassis in other markets, such as the Volgren in Australia. It enables Marcopolo to compete better in growing markets while it keeps its position in ICE markets with its current products.    PSR

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

Trailers with Electric Drive Axle Authorized in Brazil

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  

Heavy vehicles using electric axle systems in the trailer now can be driven on Brazilian Roads, following approval by the National Traffic Council (Contran) at its meeting in May.

Suspensys, a Brazilian company part of Randon group launched the product at Fenatran of 2019, but only now has it been approved by traffic authorities.

Source: M&T Magazine     Read The Article

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Volvo CE Pushing Alternative Powertrains

EUROPE REPORT

Emiliano Marzoli
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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DATAPOINT. North American Pavers, 2022 Estimated Production: 2,900 Units

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT

2,900 units is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Pavers to be produced in the U.S. and Canada during 2022.

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.

Exports: Collectively, up to 40% worldwide.

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Market Intelligence: A Review of E-Motorcycle OEMs

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT
Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

The global e-motorcycle market is changing almost daily as market share leaders develop new products and new companies continue to enter the market with competitive products. Here’s an update on several leading e-motorcycle OEMs.

Tork Motors has launched the Kratos electric motorcycle in the Indian market. The new Tork Kratos will be sold in two variants – Standard and R and will be available across India in a phased manner. In the first phase, this e-motorcycle will be available in Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. The electric motor on the base model makes a peak power output of 7.5kW or 10.05bhp and a maximum torque of 28Nm. Tork has a manufacturing capacity to make about 500 units a month at its pilot plant and about 4,000 units a month at its new plant at Chakan near Pune.

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E-Motorcycles Market Update

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT
Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

The global e-motorcycle market has experienced high growth in the last couple of years, fueled in part by the declining price of Lithium-ion batteries. The battery is one of the most expensive components of an e-motorcycle, and changes in the price of Li-ion batteries affect the entire cost of an e-motorcycle. The cost of Li-ion batteries has been steadily declining, and this trend is likely to continue.

Power Systems Research has forecasted the global CAGR for electric motorcycles, at 11% for the years 2022 – 2027.

Drivers-of-Demand for this forecasted growth are:

  • Increased environmental concerns.
  • Higher fuel efficiency of e-motorcycles compared to conventional motorcycles.
  • Increased demand for sustainable transportation.
  • New incentive programs for e-motorcycles driven by government units.
  • Advancements in technology such as high-speed handling, smaller/compact size, quicker acceleration, and reduced motor weight.
  • Introduction of fast-charging stations.
  • COVID-19 virus played a vital role in increasing the demands for the e-motorcycle. Pandemic halted the manufacturing of vehicle components and OEM parts for conventional motorcycles and available e-motorcycles in the market became the first choice among the consumers.
  • Expanding dealer and distributor network promoting the e-vehicle and its advantages.
  • Consistent research and technological advancements in the automobile industry to provide advanced technologies to e-motorcycles

Two factors hampering the growth of the market are the comparatively higher initial cost for e-motorcycles and the lack of a developed charging infrastructure. PSR

Michael Aistrup is Senior Analyst specializing in Recreational Products at Power Systems Research

Cummins Develops Hydrogen-Powered Engines

NORTH AMERICAN REPORT
Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

Cummins, Inc., is working to develop hydrogen-powered engines, using approaches for  Hydrogen combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells.

Both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells are better suited for long haul and many regional-haul truck applications than pure battery electric vehicles.

In North America, Cummins plans to introduce hydrogen internal combustion engines across their existing engine platforms starting in 2024. 

Read The Article

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