News: Commercial Vehicles

2022-07-20

Mercedes Makes Fourth Production Shutdown in Brazil

BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT  

Despite high demand, Mercedes announced its fourth temporary production stop at the plant in São Bernardo do Campo-SP, from July 4-15. In the announcement, Mercedes mentions the shortage of components and its effort to work with the supply chain to meet commitments with customers.

Source: Automotive Business     Read The Article

PSR Analysis. The shortage of components, particularly semiconductors, is taking longer than expected and is affecting the MHV market more than expected. It may affect market projections if the supply chains do not recover 2H 2022.    PSR

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

2022-07-01

Sustainability, Reliability Keys for Future e-Mobility Solutions

PSR-PowerTALK_July_2022-F2Download
Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

STUTTGART, Germany— One critical trend emerged during my conversations with many industry players at the Battery Show Europe and the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo Europe here last month: Battery thermal management is an important element in EV development and operations. 

I attended the Battery Show Europe here June 27-30 with Dalibor Sablic, PSR senior business development manager-Europe.

An estimated 6,000 attendees walked the floor to discuss products and services with nearly 600 exhibitors at the show. There was a positive energy and outlook for the future of the e-mobility industry, a refreshing change in atmosphere following many quiet months caused by the COVID pandemic. 

During the show, I had an opportunity to meet with representatives of Dow and learn about the wide array of products and services the company is developing for the e-mobility segment.  

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2022-06-25

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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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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2022-05-23

PMI Electro To Set Up EV Manufacturing Plant in Maharashtra

INDIA REPORT 

Aditya Kondejkar

Electric bus maker PMI Electro announced the setting up of its largest EV manufacturing plant with annual production capacity of 2,500 vehicles at Chakan in Maharashtra.

Source: Economic Times       Read The Article

PSR Analysis: PMI operates a manufacturing facility in Delhi, India’s capital region, which has an annual production capacity of about 1,500 electric buses. With the planned facility in Pune, the total annual manufacturing capacity of PMI will grow to 4,000 electric CVs, the company said. The new plant will be capable of manufacturing electric CVs in multiple variants as well as electric trucks.

The company said it has received an order size of 1,000 electric CVs (Commercial Vehicles) under FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme of the central government. PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Tata Motors: Electrification Is an Irreversible Trend

Tata Motors recently unveiled the electric avatar of its most popular small commercial vehicle Ace. The company said it has booked orders for 39,000 units from top e-commerce players. India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer plans to transform commercial vehicles to achieve a net-zero target by 2070 for the country.  PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Beijing Plan Calls for 100% EV Commercial Vehicles

CHINA REPORT
Jack Hao
Jack Hao

Under its new Five Year Plan, Beijing will expand restriction on the use of vehicles entering Beijing. At the same time,  Beijing will restrict the use of China III diesel trucks and will implement regional traffic restrictions during peak hours of working days, strengthen the management of illegal electric three and four wheeled vehicles, and implement a preferential traffic policy for new energy logistics and distribution vehicles.

The Five Year Plan also calls for the promotion of low-carbon new energy transportation tools, and the promotion of “oil for electricity” of vehicles in public transport, rental (including cruise and online appointment), tourism and freight transportation.

Today, 69,000 diesel trucks have been eliminated in Beijing, and the proportion of clean energy and new energy vehicles in public transportation has reached 90.2%. Beijing plans to accelerate the promotion of new energy intelligent vehicle technology and cost reductions in many applications.

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Plant-Based Bio-fuel May Not Replace Fossil Fuels

EUROPE REPORT
Christopher Bamforth
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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2022-04-22

Five Year Plan Encourages Development of LNG Trucks and Ships

CHINA REPORT

Jack Hao
Jack Hao

“By 2025, the national gas storage capacity of intensive layout will reach 55 billion ~ 60 billion cubic meters, accounting for about 13% of natural gas consumption. Build a green and low-carbon transportation system, optimize and adjust the transportation structure, vigorously develop multi-modal transport, promote the medium and long-distance transportation of bulk goods “from rail to water”, encourage the use of clean fuels such as LNG in the field of heavy-duty trucks and ships, and strengthen the guarantee of clean energy supply in the transportation industry. It is emphasized that the LNG storage and transportation system in Bohai Rim region, Yangtze River Delta region and Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Bay area should be continuously improved, and the core is the construction of LNG terminal.”

Source:  NDRC       Read The Article

PSR Analysis. China’s LNG import volume in 2022 is expected to surpass Japan and become the world’s largest LNG importer. At the same time, China has built 22 LNG terminals. There are more than 200 LNG manufacturers in China, with an annual capacity of about 30 million tons.

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