Electrification News & Analysis

News: Electrification

Battery Electric Trends & Analysis

Follow PSR’s team of analysts as they track the rapidly expanding global battery electric power market, including, battery technology, transportation, eMobility, mergers and acquisitions and more.

2021-05-24

Komatsu Unveils Concept of Fully Electric Compact Excavator

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

On May 13, Komatsu announced that it had developed a fully electric compact excavator equipped with lithium-ion batteries. This is Komatsu’s first excavator that does not use cylinders or other hydraulic equipment in the drive unit. In addition to emitting no exhaust gas, the new excavator can be operated remotely and can be used in dangerous places.

Komatsu, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding on May 13, announced this concept model as a response to a decarbonized society.

For the time being, the company does not plan to sell it to the general public. This model is connected to the outside world via wireless LAN, and the driver can operate it remotely without boarding the machine. The remote operation makes it suitable for indoor demolition, disaster rescue, and other dangerous work sites.

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Parched Taiwan Prays for Rain as Sun Moon Lake Hit by Drought

Erik Martin
Erik Martin

TAIWAN — Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake is so low that parts of it have dried and turned to grass. Jetties that normally float are sprawled awkwardly on dry land, and tour boats are crowded at the tail ends of pontoons still in the water.

Usually one of the island’s most famous tourist destinations, the lake has recently become a star of a different kind. Following the worst drought in 56 years, it is now famous for all the wrong reasons. These days, Instagram influencers photograph themselves posing in a dust-colored, dinghy half-buried in a cracked and cratered lakebed…

But away from the quirky headlines, the situation is dire. Other reservoirs across central and southern Taiwan are effectively empty, down to 5% or less.

Taiwan has had drought before, but observers are hoping the severity of this one – which has lasted 18 months and threatens Taiwan’s economic lifeblood of semiconductor production – is enough to prompt real action on climate change.

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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

European EV Buses Under Pressure

Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

After three years, Alstom is halting their EV bus production.  By the end of 2021, the production lines will be stopped, and unless a buyer will take over, most of the operations will be shut down.  Twenty employees will remain active to assure maintenance for the existing vehicles in operations with RATP. 

Just two years ago, Alstom was one of the winners of a contract to supply electric buses to the French operator.  However, this was not enough to maintain profitability.  

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PSR Analysis: We believe that electric buses have a great future, particularly in Europe.  According to our database CV Link™, alternative drive buses, including Hybrid, Fuel Cells and Battery Electric, will grow at a 22% CAGR between 2020 and 2030. 

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Powersports Recreational Equipment Update

EDITOR’S NOTE. Power Systems Research tracks the global trends powersports recreational equipment, especially the electrification of these units. This is one of a series of reports on these trends.

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

HARLEY-DAVIDSON LAUNCHES LIVEWIRE. Harley-Davidson has announced the launch of LiveWire as an all-electric motorcycle brand.  With LiveWire, H-D hopes to redefine electric, delivering a better experience for the urban rider.

The first LiveWire branded motorcycle is scheduled to launch on July 8, 2021, and to premiere at the International Motorcycle Show in Irvine, Calif., on July 9, 2021.

Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire strategy includes these key take-aways:

  • Unique lineage: LiveWire draws on its DNA from the lineage of Harley-Davidson, capitalizing on a decade of experience in the EV sector.
  • Motorcycles + beyond:  with an initial focus on the urban market.  
  • Virtual HQ: LiveWire will be headquartered virtually, with initial hubs in Silicon Valley, CA (LiveWire Labs) and Milwaukee, WI.
  • Marketplace: LiveWire will work with participating dealers from the Harley-Davidson network as an independent brand. A go-to-market model will blend digital and physical retail formats.
  • Dedicated showroom: LiveWire will operate dedicated EV showrooms in select locations, starting in California.
  • Technology focus: LiveWire plans to develop the technology of the future and to invest in the capabilities needed to lead the transformation of motorcycling. LiveWire expects to benefit from Harley-Davidson’s engineering expertise, manufacturing footprint, supply chain infrastructure, and global logistics capabilities.  
  • Technology sharing: Harley-Davidson and LiveWire intend to cooperate and share their technological advancements to ensure an industry leading application in their respective core segments.

POLARIS FIRST QUARTER 2021 EARNINGS RESULTS. Polaris released first quarter 2021 results with reported sales of $1,951 million, up 39% from reported sales of $1,405 million for the first quarter of 2020. The company reported first quarter 2021 net income of $134 million compared with a net loss of $5 million for the 2020 first quarter.

Gross profit increased 64% to $481 million for the first quarter of 2021 from $293 million in the first quarter of 2020. Reported gross profit margin was 24.6% of sales for the first quarter of 2021.

Polaris Product Segment Highlights:

  • Off-Road Vehicles (“ORV”) and Snowmobiles totaled $1,232 million for the first quarter of 2021, up 50% compared to $824 million for the first quarter of 2020. PG&A sales for ORV and Snowmobiles combined increased 51% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the first quarter last year.
  • Motorcycles totaled $166 million, up 31% compared to the first quarter of 2020, driven primarily from increased sales of Slingshot, Indian Motorcycles. 
  • Global Adjacent Markets segment sales, including PG&A, increased 27% to $125 million in the 2021 first quarter compared to $98 million in the 2020 first quarter driven by increases in demand in North America and EMEA.
  • Aftermarket segment sales of $230 million in the 2021 first quarter increased 14% compared to $202 million in the 2020 first quarter. Transamerican Auto Parts (TAP) sales of $193 million in the first quarter of 2021 increased nine percent compared to $177 million in the first quarter of 2020.
  • Boat segment sales increased 29% to $199 million in the 2021 first quarter compared to $155 million in the 2020 first quarter, driven by sales growth in all three brands, Bennington, Godfrey and Hurricane.

POWERSPORTS MARKET ANALYSIS. The powersports market observed a slowdown during the first two quarters of 2020 driven by the spread of the COVID-19. Shortages of labor and materials in the first quarter led to many industry challenges. Governments began lifting the lockdown restrictions to stabilize the economic activities in the third quarter of 2020. During this period, the powersports industry witnessed steady growth owing to the rising inclination of individuals toward participating in outdoor recreational activities while complying with social distancing norms. 

Powersports market size exceeded $34 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at around 6% CAGR between 2021 and 2027. The global power sports unit sales are anticipated to reach over 3 million units by 2027.     PSR

Michael Aistrup is Senior Analyst covering Recreational Products for Power Systems Research

2021-04-25

Japanese OEMs Agree on Battery Specs for Electric Motorcycles

Four Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki, said they have agreed to share the same battery specifications for electric motorcycles. By sharing the same removable replacement battery, they will increase convenience. The battery charger to be developed in the future will also be standardized.

For small scooters, it is difficult to increase the size of the battery to extend the cruising range due to the small size of the vehicle, and thus the frequency of recharging is high. The detachable battery type will be more convenient, as it can be exchanged for a fully charged battery at the battery exchange station.

Source: The Nikkei

PSR Analysis: In April 2019, the four companies set up a consortium to discuss battery commonality; agreeing to commonality is an achievement. This was the minimum necessary point to reach in order to prevent confusion caused by conflicting specifications, such as whether to use VHS or Beta. In addition, there had never been a case in the past where four companies had worked together to accomplish something, and in this sense, it was probably significant.

Standards have been agreed upon for battery structure, characteristics, protection circuits, communication protocols for charging, and stations that will serve as exchange infrastructure. However, the size, weight, capacity, and shape of the batteries are outside the scope of the cooperative area and will be handled by each company, in other words, a competitive area.

The agreement is related to replaceable batteries (and replacement stations) for first-class mopeds (under 50cc) and second-class motorcycles (under 125cc). As for the electrification of medium and large motorcycles, all four companies will continue to develop technologies and products as before.

In my opinion, it has taken two years to build this consensus, which is far too long. Taiwan’s Gogoro, KIMCO’s Ionex, and others have already released many EV bikes, and recharging stations have become widespread, especially in urban areas, and the bikes are already functioning as a part of our daily lives. As international competition intensifies, there will be more and more cases where the traditional Japanese sense of speed will not be able to cope. PSR

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

NA Powersports EV Update

Read the complete report in April PowerTALK™ News

EDITOR’S NOTE. Power Systems Research tracks the global trend of electrification of industrial equipment. This is one of a series of reports on these trends.

Michael Aistrup
Michael Aistrup

Polaris INDUSTRIES, Minneapolis, is planning to debut a new electric Ranger utility side-by-side in December 2021. The Ranger will be the first electric vehicle Polaris has developed through their partnership with Zero Motorcycles. 

The electric Ranger is the first product in Polaris’s long-term plan to accelerate its leadership in powersports electrification. Production will take place in Polaris’s Huntsville, AL facility.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), which owns popular brands such as Can-Am, Rotax, Sea-Doo and Ski-Doo, plans to offer electric models in each of its product lines by the end of 2026. The company is investing $300 million in product development and production facilities.

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2021-03-20

China and South Korea Increase Investment in Indonesia

Akihiro Komuro
Akihiro Komuro

China and South Korea are increasing their investments in Indonesia. According to BKPM (Indonesia’s Investment Coordination Agency), China (including Hong Kong) accounted for $8.4 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2020, up 11% from the previous year, and South Korea accounted for $1.8 billion, up 64%.

Japan, which has been the driving force behind investment to date, has seen a clear decline of 40% to $2.6 billion. Singapore ranked first in FDI in 2020 with $9.8 billion, followed by China and Japan in second and third place, then the European Union in fourth place, and South Korea in fifth place.

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Komatsu Targets CO2 Zero Emissions by 2050

Komatsu is aiming to reduce its CO2 emissions to virtually zero by 2050. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions to zero not only from its own production of construction equipment, but also from the use of construction equipment by its customers. The company aims to achieve this goal by promoting the electrification of construction equipment, improving fuel efficiency, and encouraging customers to use their construction equipment more efficiently, etc.

The company will respond to the fact that ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) investors are emphasizing the reduction of emissions, including those of customers.

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Beijing Accelerates “Fuel for Battery” Policy

Qin Fen
Qin Fen

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport in February issued an action plan describing how to switch out IC-powered light commercial vehicles in urban areas.

The city government will subsidize fleet companies switching out 20 gasoline or diesel powered vehicles to battery-powered cargo vehicles one time before Aug. 31, 2021.  The government will issue city passes to fleet companies on more favorable terms than ICE powered cargo vehicles.

There will be a government transportation center to monitor every battery-powered vehicle on operating range, GPS, etc., in case someone embezzles government subsidy.

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