Electric Boats at 2024 Cannes Show

News: Europe

2024-08-27

Deutz and Rolls Royce Engine Deal Approved

EUROPE REPORT 
Emiliano Marzoli
Emiliano Marzoli

DEUTZ and Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division have completed the transaction for DEUTZ to take over the sales and service activities for various Daimler Truck industrial engines. The transaction relates specifically to engines with displacements from 5 to 16 litres and power output of up to 480 kW.

Under the completed transaction, DEUTZ will take over distribution of the MTU Classic model series and the MTU 1000 to 1500 engine series, which are based on three Daimler Truck engine platforms. These engines are used in a range of off-highway applications, mainly in the agricultural machinery and construction equipment sectors.

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Maersk Continues Investments in Fleet Decarbonization

Natasa Mulahalilovic
Natasa Mulahalilovic

The Danish A.P. Moller & Maersk, the second largest container shipping company in the world, has set a goal to reach zero-emission container shipping by 2040. The Maersk ambitious objective is much advanced compared to the global shipping industry objective to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to fight against 3% of the global greenhouse emission that they are responsible for.

The program initiated in 2021 aims to renew the fleet of 707 container ships, 304 owned and 403 long-time-chartered, with dual-fuel vessels and propulsion systems. Contracts with different partners and suppliers are in the process of being signed. The giant has chosen to combine methanol and liquified gas bio-LNG for the propulsion systems of its renewed green fleet. The exact split of propulsion technologies will be determined over time considering the latest regulatory requirements and green fuels supply.

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2024-07-15

EU Tariffs Hit Chinese EVs, Draw Stern Words from Beijing

The European Commission told automakers (July 11, 2024) it would impose extra duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric cars starting in July 2024, risking retaliation from Beijing, which called the move protectionist. Less than a month after Washington announced plans to quadruple duties for Chinese EVs to 100%, Brussels said it would set additional tariffs ranging from 17.4% for BYD to 38.1% for SAIC, on top of the standard 10% car duty. It said this was to combat excessive subsidies

it’s worth noting that commercial EV sales are soaring.  PSR

Source: Reuters (via MSN): Read The Article

PSR Analysis: On the face of it, this seems like the start of a trade war with Chinese automakers demanding retaliatory tariffs on European cars, however several EU member states have already started to back track (led by Germany) so it remains to be seen as to what the eventual outcome will be.  

Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research

Belgium May Lose Audi Car Production in Brussels

EUROPE REPORT 

Audi said it intends to “restructure” its Forest production site in Brussels, a move that clearly could end with the site closing by 2027. Production of the model Q8 e-tron, the only model produced in Forest, will end sooner than was expected. Audi Brussels manufactured about 53,000 cars in 2023, but the sale of the large Q8 car with a high price tag (the catalog price starts at 86,000 EUR) does not meet market demand in Europe.

The possible closure could put more than 1500 employees out of work. The full production of the electric SUV Q8 e-tron will be relocated to Mexico and China where production costs will be lower than in Europe.

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2024-06-18

European Batteries Could Be 60% Less Carbon Intensive Than Chinese

Moving the EV supply chain to Europe would cut the emissions of producing a battery by 37% compared to a China-controlled supply chain, according to new analysis by lobbying  group Transport & Environment (T&E). This carbon saving rises to over 60% when renewable electricity is used.

Securing other parts of the battery value chain will be even more challenging given China’s dominance and the EU’s limited expertise. The report finds Europe has the potential to manufacture 56% of its demand for cathodes – the battery’s most valuable components – by 2030, but only two plants have started commercial operations so far.

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North America and Europe MHCV Alternative Power Update

Chris Fisher
Chris Fisher

As the governments of Europe and North America (U.S. and Canada) continue to push for a transition from fossil fuel powered vehicles to zero-emission vehicles, a number of significant barriers to adoption will continue to hamper this initiative.  

Significant barriers to adoption of zero-emission vehicles include the total cost of vehicle ownership, a lack of charging and grid infrastructure, truck resale values and duty cycle issues.  The primary types of alternative propulsion that are in focus include Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Hydrogen ICE engines and to a lesser degree, Natural Gas and Biodiesel ICE engines. The vast majority of the medium and heavy commercial vehicle industry support the transition to zero-emission vehicles but the short timeline for implementation is causing great concern throughout the industry.

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2024-05-27

Europe Investigates Chinese EV Subsidies

Last October, the European Commission opened an inquiry into whether Chinese automakers are the beneficiaries of such significant subsidies by the Chinese government that they have an unfair economic advantage over domestic manufacturers. The question is ridiculous, of course. Everyone on Earth knows the Chinese government has been providing massive support to its automotive sector for 20 years.

China has been open about its commitment to electric car manufacturing. It has told everyone its plans and then made those plans a reality. So, it should come as no surprise that Chinese companies can build electric cars in China, ship them overseas, and still undercut the price of electric cars from domestic manufacturers by 25% or more.

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Unsold Chinese EVs Clogging European Ports

Guy Youngs
Guy Youngs

The threat of masses of cheap EVs made in China has governments concerned in Europe and the US. The USA has introduced a bill that would raise the tariff on EVs from China to 100% to protect US auto workers “from the existential threat posed by China” but Europe has no such tariff protections. The lack of high import tariffs has encouraged Chinese manufacturers to look to Europe as a place where they can send boatloads (literally) of electric cars.

A report by the Financial Times claims that Chinese manufacturers are sending more EVs to Europe than they can sell, which has led to thousands of EVs being parked at port facilities. The port operators are displeased because the glut of cars is interfering with other port activities. Some now say they are no longer ports but rather car parks for newly arrived Chinese EVs

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2024-05-24

Alternative Power Report, May 2024

Alternative Power Report – May 2024Download

The May 2024 Alternative Power Report from Power Systems Research features several stories on Chinese EVs and the impact they are having on European and US markets. There also are stories on hydrogen development and hydrogen fueling stations. PSR