TESLA Electric Truck?

[jjp8182]

IIRC, part of the issue with a diesel-electric hybrid is that it would need to meet emissions standards (ie: DPF, Urea, etc) unless it was under 25hp. Granted (assuming it's a series hybrid), it will have a good life as it can always start and run at the optimum RPM, but a gas engine can do the same with a lot less emissions hassle and a small GDI gas engine (possibly turbocharged) will probably come close enough to a diesel's efficiency that the cost per KW generated will be the same.

Aaron Z

It's something to look at -- though propane would also be a desirable option. As much as the composition of gasoline has been changed the last couple decades (and efforts to continue changing it persist) it's become a less desirable fuel/source of energy for things I expect to own for decade(s).

 

[Oaktree]

It's something to look at -- though propane would also be a desirable option. As much as the composition of gasoline has been changed the last couple decades (and efforts to continue changing it persist) it's become a less desirable fuel/source of energy for things I expect to own for decade(s).

Other than the fact that it doesn't go flat like gasoline, what does propane bring to the table? Wide seasonal price swings, less energy per gallon and in general more expensive than gasoline (even without road use taxes included). Self-serve not an option. The exhaust smell is nauseous to say the least.
I think propane as vehicle fuel's day was over 30+ years ago.

In a lot of ways the EV of today is like the Model T of 100 years ago- except that the Model T was designed so that the average American could afford them. Some of you make me think of my BIL, who has been a hard core snowsledder all of his life.
When they started putting 4-stroke engines in them he was all up in arms, "They will never work, too heavy, don't like cold weather", and all manner of "reasons" why they were bad. Then he bought one, and it's all that he will run.

You never will get around how butt-ugly that Tesla is though, no matter how much lipstick you put on it.

Not just ugly, but not very practical either. Let's hope this was just a concept vehicle.

I love my 4 stroke snowmobile...it's quiet, the exhaust doesn't stink and the gas mileage is about twice what I got with a similar sized 2 stroke. It is heavy...sure not something I'd want to take off-trail and I miss having a rope start. Low battery or bad starter & you're SOL with a 4 stroke!

I agree that the technology is still young, and will evolve/improve over time. Will it improve to the point where it's practical for anything other than relatively short trips? Who knows, time will tell. Maybe some technology not even invented yet will be powering the cars of the future.

 

[Big Barn]

0-60 MPH in 2.9 seconds with tri motor AWD.

Plus on board 220v outlet and air compressor. Would make a good welding or service truck.

 

[Snobdds]

The Rivian truck is far more appealing since it looks like it might actually be able to use current truck accessories (tool boxes, fuel transfer tanks, etc).

.....though that's not saying much as there's still the recharging/range limitations (which can change based on environmental conditions) which make electric vehicles unappealing to me.

Personally, I'd like to see a diesel-electric hybrid (or a diesel fuel cell) truck as it's pretty hard to beat liquid hydrocarbon fuels as an energy storage medium both in terms of energy content, as well as the ease/speed of bulk transfer.

You are the only person that I've heard that gets it. Battery based cars are not the future, fuel cells with a small engine are. Having a proven energy source that has all the kinks worked out for reliability paired with a fuel cell that can take over when the car is in a constant energy state is ideal.

When I go the mountains, where it's cold and remote...I don't want to solely depend on a battery. I want a running engine with real heat derived as a by product from that engine running. If this electric thing is going to take off, they better have solutions for people that don't all live in an urban area, otherwise the infrastructure will never be nation wide. If this is only a urban thing...that's all it will remain and the market will never fully develop.

 

[farmeratheart]

[

I agree that the technology is still young, and will evolve/improve over time. Will it improve to the point where it's practical for anything other than relatively short trips? Who knows, time will tell. Maybe some technology not even invented yet will be powering the cars of the future.[/QUOTE]

You are right Oaktree …

When I think about the vehicles of today and the number of miles we all put on them with minimal maintenance due to unleaded fuel, solid state ignitions, stronger polymers for tires, etc I wonder if future archaeologists will even be able to identify points, condensers, rotors, blow-out patches, inner tubes, and the like?? I feel that the personal transportation industry is at a place similar to when the horseless carriage began to replace horses. Many said the replacement would never happen …

Frank

 

[jjp8182]

Other than the fact that it doesn't go flat like gasoline, what does propane bring to the table? Wide seasonal price swings, less energy per gallon and in general more expensive than gasoline (even without road use taxes included). Self-serve not an option. The exhaust smell is nauseous to say the least.
I think propane as vehicle fuel's day was over 30+ years ago.

Propane definitely isn't an ideal solution, but as you noted, propane doesn't go flat, it does vary in price seasonally (like most fuels) so could be stocked/pre-purchased at a low point, it can be self-serve at home (given an appropriate onsite tank) .... the smell is probably a either a personal thing as my grandfather's LP-powered Farmall 300 wasn't something I'd consider nauseous smelling (it wasn't much different than a propane grill, or a gas stove now that I think about it) or an implementation problem as I'd agree some of the LP/natural gas buses I've been around absolutely reek. ..and realistically it won't be a comeback as a major vehicle fuel source.

So really (in my opinion) propane has a lot of the same problems/benefits as a pure electric vehicle minus some of the transfer/portability issues, and propane is semi-appealing as would help reduce the number of different fuel types I need to procure & store.

When it comes down to it's all just trade-space in how to get energy into the form required to do the things we need/want to do -- and in the end very few things ever completely go away. Even when it comes to something like steam-power as most electric power plants aren't much more than super-sized steam turbines turning a generator with the only real difference being the source of heat (be it hydrocarbon fuels, biomass, nuclear decomposition, or solar energy) used to generate the steam.

Unless someone comes out with a liquid battery (which to my mind is what hydrocarbon/bio fuels are) the logistics and economics of pure-electric vehicles wouldn't seem to make sense (at this time).

 

[dragoneggs]

Seems there are some fuddy-duddies here. Personally I would like it to succeed. As more places and faster ways to energize batteries emerge, the electric vehicle in many forms whether on the ground, in the air or under water will be very common I believe.

 

[Big Barn]

Seems there are some fuddy-duddies here. Personally I would like it to succeed. As more places and faster ways to energize batteries emerge, the electric vehicle in many forms whether on the ground, in the air or under water will be very common I believe.

I agree

 

[ultrarunner]

As mentioned earlier, apparently the air shocks have been lowered to facilitate loading. They claim a 3500 lb payload.... more than the heaviest F150. Here's Ford's response to this release though...Ford responds to Tesla's new Cybertruck
In a lot of ways the EV of today is like the Model T of 100 years ago- except that the Model T was designed so that the average American could afford them. Some of you make me think of my BIL, who has been a hard core snowsledder all of his life.
When they started putting 4-stroke engines in them he was all up in arms, "They will never work, too heavy, don't like cold weather", and all manner of "reasons" why they were bad. Then he bought one, and it's all that he will run.

You never will get around how butt-ugly that Tesla is though, no matter how much lipstick you put on it.

Yep... the Model T was sold as the everyman's car that put America on wheels with 15 million sold.

It was also like electronics... as time progressed prices dropped... in 1927 a Model T was almost a give away.

I would like to see New Tesla S with more features selling for half the price of today in 20 years... Ford did this with the Model T...

 

[aczlan]

Other than the fact that it doesn't go flat like gasoline, what does propane bring to the table? Wide seasonal price swings, less energy per gallon and in general more expensive than gasoline (even without road use taxes included). Self-serve not an option. The exhaust smell is nauseous to say the least.
I think propane as vehicle fuel's day was over 30+ years ago.

On the contrary, we go through hundreds of gallons of propane at work every week fueling the motors in forklifts, it doesn't smell bad at all (in a properly running motor). If the motor is not running properly, yes it can stink, but the same could be said for a gasoline or diesel powered motor.

One big negative to Propane, Compressed Natural Gas or other compressed fuels is that you have to get the tanks recertified every x years (the length of time depends on if they are steel, aluminum or composite tanks).

Aaron Z

 

[jasonzee]

Back in the 80s people say in 2020 there would be flying cars well where are they?
Electric trucks are but a dream it will not go and take hold of the public. Gas and diesel are the only way to power a truck that's not cost prohibitive.

 

[Jchonline]

Ill say it again..once these get better than their diesel/gas counterparts I will consider it. Once an electric vehicle is MORE convenient I will consider it. Right now if I have to charge it for 30 min every few hundred miles it is not. If it is susceptible to extreme temps it is not. Right now if I can get an F150 for 1/2 the price the Tesla is in no way on my short list. Give me something better.

 

[ruffdog]

The electrical grid can't handle everyone charging these things.....ask your utility company.

 

[lilranch2001]

if solar is the future, why do these cars and trucks not come with built in solar panels?

 

[4570Man]

if solar is the future, why do these cars and trucks not come with built in solar panels?

Because it’s vastly short of the energy requirements. You’d get about as far by adding pedals. Solar energy is equivalent to 1000 watts per square meter at the equator at noon. Solar panels aren’t very efficient and you’ll only harness about 200 watts of the thousand. There’s more loss in the battery and motors. Add to the fact you want to drive more than at the equator at noon and you’re probably down to 50 watts average. At 800 watts per hp you ain’t going anywhere fast. You’re going to need a substantial energy boost from somewhere. I personally think diesel/electric has a lot more promising future than 100 percent electric. And ICE engines aren’t very efficient. If you could improve that you’d be a lot better off.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^

I personally think diesel/electric has a lot more promising future than 100 percent electric.

I've been saying that would be a good combo ever since they came out with hybrids.

 

[jasonzee]

Solor and wind that cant power this country! And now electric cars and trucks this whole thing is ridiculous. It's like flying pigs it's just going to happend on a large scale because this country is not set up.

 

[Jstpssng]

As long as the population keeps growing exponentially we are going to have problems. Rather than spending large scale dollars and brains at solar and wind, we should be throwing those resources- especially the brains- at ways to make nuclear a safe way to generate power.

 

[Oaktree]

On the contrary, we go through hundreds of gallons of propane at work every week fueling the motors in forklifts, it doesn't smell bad at all (in a properly running motor). If the motor is not running properly, yes it can stink, but the same could be said for a gasoline or diesel powered motor.

Forklifts (and generators) were what I was thinking of when I referred to stinky exhaust. I don't know how forklift drivers stand it...I get a headache just being around them for a few minutes. If it's just a badly running engine, every forklift I've ever been around fits that description.

 

[bcp]

Back in the 80s people say in 2020 there would be flying cars well where are they?

I'm still waiting for my flying toasters.

Bruce