Reading Global(2022.01.20)
Cataline Times and Panasonic compete for a new generation of automotive batteries
Japan Economic News reported on the 20th that in order to reduce the use of rare metals, battery manufacturers and automobile manufacturers are accelerating the development of a new generation of batteries. Panasonic has come up with a timetable for the practical use of high-capacity batteries that do not use cobalt, and China NINGDE Times New Energy Technology (CATL), the world's largest automotive battery company, is actively developing batteries that use easy-to-source sodium.
CATL actively develops sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge by moving sodium ions between electrodes. As an alternative to lithium, inexpensive sodium, which can be extracted from seawater, will be used. CATL plans to be practical in 2023. The capacity per kilogram is now 160 Wh, but will be increased to 200 Wh in the future. Although the capacity is smaller than that of lithium-ion batteries, Professor Juno Yamada of the University of Tokyo said: "In addition to the advantages of fast charging, it is expected to reduce costs."
Panasonic, on the other hand, distances itself from investing in mine interests. A Panasonic executive said that "I will not buy a 'mine' because I have suffered a big loss in a silicon mine." In the past, Panasonic's former Sanyo Electric signed a long-term purchase contract due to the shortage of silicon supply of solar cell materials, but then the market declined, and the high purchase price squeezed the profit. If the price of rare metals is reduced, it will face the risk of shrinking the value of the equity.
Panasonic is actively developing a unique high-capacity battery that does not use cobalt, and plans to put it on the market in 2-3 years. The senior management of Panasonic's battery business only believed that "the technology development has been completed, as long as there is a customer need, it can start mass production."
Toyota and Nissan Motor will develop "all-solid-state batteries" that change the electrolyte to solid. Due to the increased safety, it is also possible to use difficult-to-machine parts such as cathode materials that reduce cobalt. If large volumes are achieved, the use of rare metals per unit capacity will also be reduced.
"Striving to put it on the market in 2028, we are developing all-solid-state batteries on our own," Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida said at an explanatory meeting held on November 29. Nissan plans to invest a total of 2 trillion yen to launch 15 pure electric vehicles by fiscal 2030, positioning all-solid-state batteries as the trump card.
Companies in other industries have also ventured into the development of next-generation batteries. Nippon Electric Glass will develop "all-solid sodium-ion batteries". Nippon Paper strives to promote the practical application of "wooden batteries". Charging and discharging is carried out by using the properties of the concave and convex adsorption of electrons on the surface of the fibers extracted from the pulp, the raw material of papermaking. By 2030, it will be practical for smartphones and will also be applied to pure electric vehicles.
Tesla's investment plan is unclear, and negotiations with the Indian government on tax cuts have reached an impasse
Reuters reported on the 20th that people familiar with the matter revealed that the negotiations between the Indian government and Tesla on the potential tax incentives for imported cars have reached an impasse, because Tesla has not given a precise commitment to produce electric vehicles locally, so the Indian government is not keen to give the company any preferential treatment.
Tesla, eager to import and sell its electric cars in India, has been lobbying Indian government officials for nearly a year to lower tariffs. Tesla CEO Musk has said that India's tariff level is among the highest in the world.
But Indian government sources say they are not convinced by Tesla's lobbying because the company has not shared any clear plans for investing in India. India wants to see investments linked to the Modi government's "Make in India" vision to boost local manufacturing and jobs.
India currently imposes import taxes of up to 100% on electric vehicles, and the so-called landing costs (car prices plus inbound freight) for these cars reach $40,000 and above. This would make India the most expensive market for Tesla cars in the world, a price that is out of reach for most Indian consumers.
Tesla has informed Indian officials that the company is open to buying more auto parts locally and eventually moving to manufacturing, but Indian government sources say they want a firm commitment and say it is highly unlikely to reduce import tariffs in the near term, according to sources.
Still, Tesla has pinned its hopes on the upcoming Release of India's federal budget on Feb. 1, on which such tax changes are usually announced, to confirm whether its lobbying is valid or to subsequently reconsider how to further enter the Indian market, people familiar with the matter said.
Thailand will resume quarantine waivers for vaccinated travellers starting next month
Lianhe Zaobao reported that Thai officials said on the 20th that the country will resume the quarantine-free entry plan for vaccinated passengers from February 1. The plan was previously suspended due to an outbreak of the Olmikron variant strain.
Tawissin, a spokesman for Thailand's COVID-19 response team, told the media that travelers who have completed vaccination can enter through the Test & Go program as long as they are tested on the first and fifth days after arrival. Travelers must quarantine at the hotel while waiting for test results and need to download a tracking app to ensure compliance with quarantine regulations.
To revive its COVID-19-hit economy, Thailand launched its "Rapid Testing and Clearance" program in November to replace a two-week quarantine in hotels. Authorities suspended the program late last month over fears of the Omicron outbreak. But because there has been no surge in deaths and hospitalizations, Tavisin said the plan could be revived, though authorities will continue to review it.
Thai authorities will also further ease other epidemic prevention restrictions, and restaurants will be able to serve alcoholic beverages until 11 p.m., currently at 9 p.m.
Thailand's Ministry of Tourism estimates that about 5 million foreign tourists will come to Thailand in 2022, down from nearly 40 million in the year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amazon will open a fashion store, where algorithms will provide try-on recommendations
Reuters reported that Amazon is further promoting the development of its fashion business, announcing on the 20th that it will open the first ever offline clothing store this year and carry out technological transformation to add scientific and technological elements.
The online retailer's secrets for the department store of the future include algorithmic recommendations and what one company executive called a "magic closet." Simona Vasen, head of business, said: "We think this can significantly improve the customer experience, otherwise we wouldn't have done these things in brick-and-mortar retail. ”
The planned clothing store covers about 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters), which is smaller than the average department store. Product models are placed on shelves, and customers can scan codes using Amazon's mobile app to choose the colors and sizes they want. To try on clothes stored in the back, shoppers enter a virtual fitting room queue that they can unlock with their smartphones when the fitting room is ready.
Vasen says the fitting room is "a personal space where you can continue shopping without leaving." Each fitting room has a touch screen where customers can choose what they want to try on, and staff will drop them off in a secure double-sided closet within minutes, she said. "Like a magic closet, customers seem to have endless options."
Touch screens also recommend items to shoppers. Amazon records every item a customer scans, so its algorithm makes personalized recommendations for clothing. Customers can also fill out a dressing style survey. By the time they arrived at the fitting room, the employees had already put away the items requested by the customer and other items selected by Amazon's recommendation algorithm.
Amazon says shoppers can opt out with the help of store associates.
Amazon has made this clothing recommendation technology public. According to analyst research, Amazon has overtaken Walmart to become the largest clothing retailer in the United States.
But Amazon still has room to expand and compete with the likes of Macy's and Nordstrom. Amazon's brick-and-mortar grocery stores and convenience stores haven't disrupted the entire brick-and-mortar retail industry.
Today's picture
Tonga Airport reopened on the 20th to receive assistance and some communication lines were restored
On January 20, 2022 local time, according to Reuters, the South Pacific island nation resumed contact with the outside world after five days of communications interruption, and the rescue aircraft equipped with emergency supplies arrived at Tonga airport on the same day. Tonga's communications with the outside world began to recover later on the 19th, but telecom operators said it would take a month or more for the communications network to fully recover. Tonga is currently facing drinking water and food shortages, and 25 litres of water and other supplies are expected to arrive in Tonga by boat on the 21st.
(This article is compiled from Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Reuters, Lianhe Zaobao)
Economic Observation Network intern reporter Zhou Yuqing sorted out