While you guys are back on coal

[brycejones]

Yeah, semi trucks in particular would be great candidates for hybrid conversions, without a conventional drivetrain, there is all sorts of room for a gigantic battery, and weight is not a big concern. There seems to be a lot of inertia in that industry though, very resistant to change.

There are several companies working on hybird/electric semis. Tesla and another company called Nikola currently appear to have the lead. The industry will adopt trucks quickly if they provide radically better fuel economy. It's an industry where even 3-4 MPG can make a huge difference in annual fuel costs. Plus the advantage of electric drive and instant torque.

 

[crashtech]

There are several companies working on hybird/electric semis. Tesla and another company called Nikola currently appear to have the lead. The industry will adopt trucks quickly if they provide radically better fuel economy. It's an industry where even 3-4 MPG can make a huge difference in annual fuel costs. Plus the advantage of electric drive and instant torque.

I've read about those. Neither seem to be getting much... traction. But they should be.

 

[brycejones]

I've read about those. Neither seem to be getting much... traction. But they should be.

I thought Nikola had deposits for a substantial number of trucks. I expect they will get more traction as more actual data comes out about performance. If the fuel economy is there and the financials make sense I would expect the industry to move there fairly quickly. Trucking is a low margin business so if they can achieve a better margin with a new truck it won't take long for them to swing that direction.

 

[crashtech]

I thought Nikola had deposits for a substantial number of trucks. I expect they will get more traction as more actual data comes out about performance. If the fuel economy is there and the financials make sense I would expect the industry to move there fairly quickly. Trucking is a low margin business so if they can achieve a better margin with a new truck it won't take long for them to swing that direction.

The goal is as much increased efficiency as reduced emissions, but early adopters will pay a premium that will probably more than offset the efficiency gains. Time will tell which forward-looking outfits decide to finally make the change, at which point economy of scale can take over like it always does.

 

[0roo0roo]

Norway has approximately 3 million cars total. To get 40% of new cars to be electric doesn't take much work.


LOL, tout clean vehicles but fund the subsidies that make it happen with oil and gas sales. That sounds similar to us promoting our reduced manufacturing pollution by sending it to China where regulations are guidelines at best.

Oh its more perverse than that, they sell boatloads of oil to pay for such things.
Basic green wash, and ultimately not a model for any country without such windfall wealth.

Even the Netherlands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Netherlands#Energy_sector

I mean really. the largest corporation in the Netherlands is Royal Dutch Shell

Pointing at europe at this point is doing the left no favors.

Anyways

 

[JSt0rm]

Oh its more perverse than that, they sell boatloads of oil to pay for such things.
Basic green wash, and ultimately not a model for any country without such windfall wealth.

Even the Netherlands
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Netherlands#Energy_sector

I mean really. the largest corporation in the Netherlands is Royal Dutch Shell

Pointing at europe at this point is doing the left no favors.

Anyways

if only we lived in a country with lots of oil...

oh we do. we just chose to freedumb it all.

 

[cytg111]

if only we lived in a country with lots of oil...

oh we do. we just chose to freedumb it all.

I guess it depends on how you look at it, Tesla has gotten its fair share of subsidies over the years, while the money may come fra different pockets it is still in the sum of the whole.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

We in the Netherlands may burn way less fossil fuel per capita compared to the US, but are severely lacking in sustainable energy.

 

[K1052]

I thought Nikola had deposits for a substantial number of trucks. I expect they will get more traction as more actual data comes out about performance. If the fuel economy is there and the financials make sense I would expect the industry to move there fairly quickly. Trucking is a low margin business so if they can achieve a better margin with a new truck it won't take long for them to swing that direction.

The quest for reduced TCO is never ending. Various forms of hybrid designs and natural gas seem to be where the bigger companies are headed. Electrics appear to be good for local stuff like hauling containers from port to rail and distribution centers. BYD has started rolling out some electric semi trucks in California for this.

 

[cytg111]

Rail freight transport and trucks for moving cargo are gonna merge as well.
When we get induction into the road framework and autonomous driving ontop of that the railroad is dead.

 

[hal2kilo]

There are several companies working on hybird/electric semis. Tesla and another company called Nikola currently appear to have the lead. The industry will adopt trucks quickly if they provide radically better fuel economy. It's an industry where even 3-4 MPG can make a huge difference in annual fuel costs. Plus the advantage of electric drive and instant torque.

Mercedes has been working on electric trucks also.
http://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-electric-truck-photos-2017-2

 

[cytg111]

And of course, we all know that cars kill :

http://news.mit.edu/2013/study-air-pollution-causes-200000-early-deaths-each-year-in-the-us-0829

Study: Air pollution causes 200,000 early deaths each year in the U.S.
New MIT study finds vehicle emissions are the biggest contributor to these premature deaths