Tesla semi

[KubotainNH]

Regen braking would really be a good deal for trucks, no worries about running out of air on long downgrades and the air brakes would last forever as they would only be used on <5 mph stops and parking. And having trailer drive would really cut into Jamie Davis and Al Quiring's business when they could walk right up the smasher and not spin out going up the Coq.

Ha ha, exactly. I mentioned putting the motors on the trailers multiple pages back, a bit more traction in the snowy areas would be huge.

Has that show gotten any better since the rotator was sold off? The early shows were pretty good.

 

[flyerdan]

It's still a good show, they gave up the AB operation and are just local now. Some of the other towing outfits are getting featured as well. As reality shows go, it's right up there with Ice Pilots.
And back to topic, if they could have sealed batteries on trucks, it would eliminate the diesel spills when a sharp rock opens up a saddle tank when one goes over. Assuming the batteries weren't located where the tanks are, of course. Battery goo would still be an easier cleanup though.

 

[vvanders]

Those are the same arguments against EV's. Solar panels at the source of the water can split it to get the hydrogen (clean method) just like solar panels can charge batteries. Or natural gas an be split to get the hydrogen releasing the CO2 (or possibly sequestering it) or can be burnt in a power plant to make electricity. Hydrogen can be pumped and trucked (using Toyota's hydrogen powered Kenworth with the hydrogen produced at the facility). It can even be transported by ship. Electricity needs expensive high tension lines to go any real distance. Our grid is close to being maxed out so adding large volumes to it of people charging their cars at night could be an issue.

Potential break thoughs for batteries is quicker charging batteries while for hydrogen it's using ammonia (since it's safer). Each has it's pros and cons.

There's a couple problems with hydrogen that make it tricky.

One is that the solar -> hydrogen conversion is something like 20% efficient(see Why a hydrogen economy doesn't make sense) vs 70% efficiency of a pure BEV.

Building a tank that can keep hydrogen contained is very hard. It's a molecule that tends to be very squirrelly. From what I've read it's almost impossible to build a container that doesn't leak in some capacity. If you have a car stored in a garage that's just a recipe for a giant explosion which hydrogen will happily do.

As fuel cells age they get less efficient rather than having less capacity. So while you might have 10% less range as an EV battery degrades you also spend 10% less. As a fuel cell degrades you're still spending the same cost for less range.

That doesn't even get to the whole infrastructure problem which is non-significant.

It does have the advantage of using natural gas as a transition fuel but I don't think that'll offset the rest of the issues.

 

[cqaigy2]

There's nothing more useful than cryptic answers to questions about vague statements ...

I think HS has a bot going.

 

[Redneck in training]

Those are the same arguments against EV's. Solar panels at the source of the water can split it to get the hydrogen (clean method) just like solar panels can charge batteries. Or natural gas an be split to get the hydrogen releasing the CO2 (or possibly sequestering it) or can be burnt in a power plant to make electricity. Hydrogen can be pumped and trucked (using Toyota's hydrogen powered Kenworth with the hydrogen produced at the facility). It can even be transported by ship. Electricity needs expensive high tension lines to go any real distance. Our grid is close to being maxed out so adding large volumes to it of people charging their cars at night could be an issue.

Potential break thoughs for batteries is quicker charging batteries while for hydrogen it's using ammonia (since it's safer). Each has it's pros and cons.

Grid might be maxed out but coal burning plants are penalized for "negative" generation. If something will make coal live little longer it will electric cars.

 

[Sodo]

Connect the dots.

dot: Consumers pay out less for transportation
dot: Petroleum industry has surplus of fuel, must reduce price / profits
dot: USA citizens have cleaner air
dot: petroleum investment sector ramps up public relations projects to discredit competing energies

 

[dragoneggs]

dot: Consumers pay out less for transportation
dot: Petroleum industry has surplus of fuel, must reduce price / profits
dot: USA citizens have cleaner air
dot: petroleum investment sector ramps up public relations projects to discredit competing energies

All fine... a sort of free market society. No where else to the extent that I am aware of... I am considering a Tesla but it hasn't tipped the scales for me, all things considered. Love technology but it has to make sort of sense for me (both for livelihood and lifestyle) or I'm not going to be leading the way. I will let those that don't practice what they preach (Hollywood) be the righteous ones.

 

[mapper]

Portland and Dayton Ohio are the only other cities I know with electric buses
No regenerative brakes in Dayton buses

Seattle has had them for at least 55 years.

 

[dragoneggs]

Seattle has had them for at least 55 years.

Electric yes... but I think Streetcar is talking battery power.

 

[Egon]

There are some Hydrogen Fueling Stations in California.
[video]https://cafcp.org/sites/default/files/h2_station_list.pdf[/video]