Global Developments: EV Trade Disputes, Smart Innovations, and Sustainable Practices
Dear readers,
The EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, which began in October 2023, resulted in temporary duties on major Chinese companies, with final rulings expected in November 2024. China criticised the investigation's process and seeks dialogue to resolve trade issues, amid ongoing high-level consultations aimed at addressing economic relations.
Jiyuan in Henan province has improved flood defence and power reliability with smart digital substations, enhancing disaster resilience. These upgrades, including automated drainage and intelligent inspection robots, ensure continuous power supply even during adverse weather conditions.
Xpeng Motors focuses on AI-driven sectors like autonomous driving and robotics, having launched China's first mass-produced intelligent driving model. The company aims to lead technological advancements and emphasises the importance of incorporating AI models in intelligent driving systems to stay competitive.
China's smart home market, with over 260 million active users, faces challenges in device interconnection due to varying technical standards. A new certification aims to standardise compatibility, foster industry collaboration, and enhance consumer experiences by addressing these bottlenecks.
In India, Honda is trailing in the electric scooter market despite increasing sales in the sector, while rivals like Ola Electric and Hero Motocorp gain ground. Honda plans significant investments but risks losing market leadership if it doesn't accelerate its efforts in the Indian market.
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced plans for Level 4 autonomous driving in 10 locations by fiscal 2024 to address driver shortages. Collaborations with local governments will expedite the implementation process, aiming to significantly reduce the screening period for autonomous driving projects.
South Korea will begin drone delivery services for food and daily necessities in 32 islands and 17 parks next month. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, aims to enhance convenience in remote areas, delivering goods weighing up to 3 kilograms.
South Pasadena, California, has converted all its police vehicles to electric, replacing them with 20 Teslas to address environmental pollution and reduce emissions. This transition, expected to save costs and comply with clean fleet regulations, marks a pioneering effort in the U.S.
China Airlines and Honglin Global Transportation signed an MOU to procure sustainable aviation fuel, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by over 80%. This collaboration supports Taiwan's aviation sector's net-zero targets and promotes eco-friendly measures within the industry.
Taiwan plans to fully regulate drones by 2027, with new rules requiring inspections and certifications for drones over 500 grammes. These regulations, involving multiple ministries, aim to enhance safety and operational standards as drone usage increases.
Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to hand over land for key transportation projects, with significant budget allocations for compensation and site clearance. Projects like the Highway 50 expansion and My Thuy intersection are progressing towards completion, aiming to enhance the city's infrastructure.
Jürgen Germeys
China
欧盟反补贴调查终裁倒计时，电动汽车驶入角力场
Beijing News | Local Language | News
The EU initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles in October 2023, which led to temporary anti-subsidy duties imposed on July 4, 2024. A working meeting was held in Brussels where representatives discussed the case and sought to protect Chinese automakers' interests. The final ruling by the European Commission is expected in early November 2024. Temporary tariffs imposed on three major Chinese companies were 37.6% for SAIC Group, 19.9% for Geely Automobile, and 17.4% for BYD. Other non-sampled manufacturers faced a weighted average tariff of 20.8%. China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized the investigation process as biased and non-compliant with WTO rules. SAIC Group requested a hearing to defend its position, highlighting that the EU's methodology in sampling was flawed and did not represent the broader industry. As negotiations continued, both sides expressed a desire for dialogue to resolve trade issues. Efforts between China and the EU are underway, with recent high-level consultations aimed at addressing economic relations and challenges faced by the electric vehicle sector.
China Daily | English | News
Intelligent upgrades and digital applications have significantly enhanced flood defense and disaster resilience capabilities in Jiyuan, Henan province, ensuring reliable power supply. The city has incorporated the renovation of "smart digital substations" into its smart grid development in preparation for the heavy rain season. A pilot project completed in the Yuchuan Lyucheng residential area included waterproofing measures, such as high-waterproof-sealed doors that prevent internal leakage for 36 hours and standing water for seven days. This ensures uninterrupted power supply. A smart integrated terminal allows for remote control of internal equipment and automated responses to water ingress, with water level sensors triggering alarms and activating drainage pumps. Intelligent inspection robots monitor equipment operation, providing insights even when maintenance personnel cannot access the substation due to adverse conditions. These innovations collectively enhance power supply reliability and act as a "smart insurance" for customers, according to a technician from State Grid Jiyuan Power Supply Co.
Yicai Global | English | News
Xpeng Motors is focusing on four key sectors driven by artificial intelligence: autonomous driving, chips, large language models, and robots, as stated by the company's chairman, He Xiaopeng. Xpeng has positioned itself at the forefront of technology trends by launching China's first mass-produced end-to-end intelligent driving model, utilizing its neural network XNet alongside planning and control large models XPlanner and LLM XBrain. The company also introduced the XOS 5.2.0 AI Tianji operating system with 484 functional upgrades, set to be released in ten countries, including Germany and France, on August 15. He Xiaopeng emphasized that intelligent driving systems must incorporate AI models, cautioning against tech firms solely prioritizing sales amidst intense competition in China's automotive market. A report by Cherish Capital indicated that 90% of over 30 self-driving industry experts believe their companies are investing in end-to-end technologies, acknowledging the significant risks of not participating in the ongoing technological shift. End-to-end autonomous driving involves processing raw sensor data to directly control vehicles, contrasting with traditional modular systems.
打通智能家居产品互联堵点（人民时评）
STCN | Local Language | News
The article addresses the challenges of interconnection among smart home products and the consumer inconvenience caused by the need to use multiple apps. The scale of China's smart home market has grown substantially, with over 260 million active users, highlighting its importance in the economy. Despite advancements in communication protocols like WiFi and Bluetooth, achieving compatibility among devices from different brands remains difficult due to varying technical standards and processes. Companies may resist interconnection efforts due to costs and the desire to maintain competitive advantages through proprietary ecosystems. The introduction of the "Mobile Internet + Smart Home System Cross-Platform Access Certification Technical Requirements" on July 1 aims to standardize interconnection and improve device compatibility. This initiative is expected to foster industry collaboration and enhance consumer experiences. The article emphasizes that as families increasingly seek improved living environments, the smart home sector should prioritize innovation, safety, and stability to fully realize its potential and enhance user satisfaction.
India
Deccan Herald | English | News
Honda is falling behind in the electric scooter market in India, the world's largest two-wheeler market. Despite a 28% increase in electric motorbike sales, Honda has not sold any electric two-wheelers in India, while competitors like Ola Electric, TVS Motor Co., and Hero Motocorp are making significant strides. Honda plans to introduce 30 electric models and invest $3.3 billion by 2030 but has been slow in execution, with no Indian e-scooter available yet. Rivals are capitalizing on urban commuting and delivery markets, while Honda's focus on its less profitable car unit risks undermining its leadership in motorcycles. The disparity in Honda's rapid growth in other countries contrasts with its current position in India, where it holds only a quarter of the market. If Honda doesn't accelerate its efforts, it may face competition similar to foreign carmakers in China's EV market.
Japan
领英推荐
首相「自動運転１０カ所で」 リニア会議、国交省も参加
Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio announced a plan to implement "Level 4" autonomous driving in approximately 10 locations across Japan by fiscal 2024 to address the driver shortage. This initiative will allow for driverless operation under specific conditions. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and JR Central will collaborate with local governments to select a route for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen between Nagoya and Osaka, starting in August. The Prime Minister aims to expedite the screening process for autonomous driving implementation, reducing it from around 11 months to about two months.
South Korea
Joongang Ilbo | English | News
Drone delivery services for food and daily necessities will launch next month in 32 select islands and 17 parks across the country, as announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Locations include Mara Island, Gapa Island in Jeju, and Geumo Island in South Jeolla, as well as parks in Gyeonggi and other provinces. Delivery items will primarily consist of food, such as chicken and pizza, along with daily necessities, with a maximum weight limit of 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). In certain island areas, locally produced goods will also be delivered to the mainland via drones.
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Joongang Ilbo | Local Language | News
Robots are being integrated into the electric vehicle (EV) charger market, as LG Electronics and Doosan Robotics signed a memorandum of understanding with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to enhance EV charging infrastructure. They plan to install over 50 fast chargers across various government-operated locations by 2026, with 10 of these featuring robot charging technology to assist users with transportation challenges. The robot system will automate the connection of charging cables, making it easier for drivers, particularly those with limited mobility, to charge their vehicles. Hyundai Motor Group has also entered the EV charging robot market, demonstrating its automatic charging robot (ACR) that communicates with vehicles to facilitate automatic charging. This technology will be tested at the Factorial Seongsu Building in Seoul later this year, where a parking robot will help move cars into charging positions. The charging robot is being designed to operate in various weather conditions. The EV charging market is rapidly expanding, with projections indicating an annual growth rate of 32.3%, potentially reaching $325 billion globally by 2030. Domestically, the market in South Korea is expected to grow from KRW 900 billion to KRW 6.3 trillion in the same period. The South Korean government aims to increase the number of EV chargers to over 1.2 million by 2030, with 305,309 chargers already installed as of June. Major manufacturers like Hyundai and Tesla are also enhancing their ultra-fast charging networks to improve user experience.
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Digital Daily | Local Language | News
EcoPro is facing sluggish demand for electric vehicles (EVs) as it anticipates gradual recovery in the second half of the year. The company's consolidated sales fell to 864.1 billion won with a 54.6 billion won operating loss in the second quarter, a significant decline from the previous year. Ecopro BM, responsible for cathode materials, reported a 57.5% decrease in sales year-on-year, although it maintained a surplus due to inventory valuation reversals. EcoPro is focusing on energy storage systems (ESS) as a growth area, with an 85% increase in ESS cathode material volume compared to last year. The company plans to adjust its mid- to long-term cathode material production capacity in light of ongoing market conditions, while also increasing investments in raw material procurement and external sales. The establishment of a 9% stake in the QMB nickel smelter project in Indonesia and ongoing investments in precursor production are highlighted as strategies to enhance competitiveness and profitability. EcoPro is adapting to market volatility and evolving supply chain dynamics in response to foreign regulations and competitive pressures from China.
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ZD Net Korea | Local Language | News
A city in Southern California, South Pasadena, has converted all its police vehicles to electric, replacing high fuel-consuming cars with 20 Teslas, marking a first in the U.S. The initiative aims to address environmental pollution and ongoing fires, particularly in a region with significant air pollution. The city plans to utilise chargers installed at City Hall and has indicated that idling police vehicles contribute to increased emissions. This transition is expected to save about $4,000 per vehicle annually, with operating costs projected to be half that of gasoline vehicles. The South Pasadena Police Department will use 10 Tesla Model Ys for patrol and 10 Model 3s for administrative work. The conversion aligns with California's Advanced Clean Fleets regulations, which require a transition to eco-friendly vehicles. The police department is also seeking other U.S. agencies interested in adopting Tesla vehicles and plans to share their conversion experiences.
Taiwan
華航與鴻霖全球運輸簽永續航空燃油MOU 減少逾8成碳排
ETtoday | Local Language | News
China Airlines and Honglin Global Transportation have signed a memorandum of cooperation focused on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) procurement, marking a significant collaboration in Taiwan's aviation sector. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions by over 80% compared to traditional fuels, contributing to net-zero carbon emissions targets by 2050. China Airlines is leading efforts in sustainability, having introduced new aircraft in 2017 and incorporating SAF into passenger flights in 2023. It has also launched a customer cooperation plan to promote low-carbon transportation in Taiwan's aviation industry. Honglin Global Transport has committed to this sustainability effort by integrating SAF into China Airlines' cargo fleet. Both companies align on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, with China Airlines already implementing various eco-friendly measures in its cargo operations, including the use of recycled materials and electronic systems to minimise paper usage and enhance operational efficiency.
五大部會攜手 2027年底前分階段全面納管無人機
Yahoo News Taiwan | Local Language | News
The Civil Aviation Administration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Finance, National Communications Commission, and Ministry of Digital Development, will implement a phased regulation of drones in Taiwan by the end of 2027 due to their increasing popularity. Revised "Remote Control Drone Management Rules" stipulate that all drones weighing over 500 grammes must pass inspections, and domestic manufacturers are required to obtain factory registration certificates. As of June, Taiwan had over 40,000 registered drones and 20,000 qualified operating certificates. The new regulations involve inspections based on weight, with all drones on the market needing security inspections beginning December next year. Drones must also meet the new law's requirements when existing inspection certificates expire. Furthermore, the age for applying for a drone learning operation certificate will be lowered from 16 to 14, and the validity of operation certificates will extend from 2 to 3 years.
Vietnam
TP H? Chí Minh: Chu?n b? bàn giao 100% m?t b?ng nhi?u d? án giao th?ng tr?ng ?i?m
VTV News | Local Language | News
Ho Chi Minh City plans to disburse 95% of its allocated budget of approximately 79,200 billion VND this year, with 24,200 billion VND designated for compensation and site clearance, marking a significant challenge. Implementing a similar mechanism as the Ring Road 3 project could expedite site clearance for various traffic projects. Currently, several projects in the East and South of the city are nearing full land clearance for road expansion. The Highway 50 expansion project has 594 affected households, with a total compensation of around 1,280 billion VND; however, 27 plots remain uncleared. In June, clearance activities commenced for about 200 houses in the My Thuy intersection area, which is crucial for the Ky Ha 4 bridge project. Thu Duc City aims to expedite compensation and relocate households before the second quarter of 2024, working towards completing the related construction projects by the end of this year and the following year. The overall progress of the Highway 50 expansion is currently at 48%.