Would you buy an electric truck?

3930dave · Aug 16, 2020

Gasoline has been around so long (predates all of us) in wide availability, that we are somewhat the Frog in Boiling Water in terms of perceived risk.

Any fuel storage depot is a significant safety risk, by nature of the huge amount of potential energy stored.

A ruptured tank in a vehicle accident ? Diesel is pretty much the safest (ignition-wise), but has been declared a demon. Gasoline is one of the riskiest there is - it will pool and ignites easily in open air.

People have burned to death in Teslas. Power density of lithium has it's risk too.

I'd like to see the crash tests of hydrogen tanks. Outside of occurring in a tunnel, being lighter-than-air, I suspect the real-world fire risk of a hydrogen vehicle tank is lower than gasoline.

Rgds, D.

grsthegreat · Aug 16, 2020

3930dave said:
Gasoline has been around so long (predates all of us) in wide availability, that we are somewhat the Frog in Boiling Water in terms of perceived risk.

Any fuel storage depot is a significant safety risk, by nature of the huge amount of potential energy stored.

A ruptured tank in a vehicle accident ? Diesel is pretty much the safest (ignition-wise), but has be declared a demon. Gasoline is one of the riskiest there is - it will pool and ignites easily in open air.

People have burned to death in Teslas. Power density of lithium has it's risk too.

I'd like to see the crash tests of hydrogen tanks. Outside of occurring in a tunnel, being lighter-than-air, I suspect the real-world fire risk of a hydrogen vehicle tank is lower than gasoline.

Rgds, D.

tell that to the hindnberg

/pine · Aug 16, 2020

grsthegreat said:
tell that to the hindnberg

What method (technology) of communication?

Industrial Toys · Aug 16, 2020

That technology simply astounded me. The notion that everything had to be just perfect in such a complex craft, to avoid catastrophy. Just because supposedly, the US woudn't sell the krauts Helium.

grsthegreat · Aug 16, 2020

/pine said:
What method (technology) of communication?

being lighter-than-air, I suspect the real-world fire risk of a hydrogen vehicle tank is lower than gasoline.

ruffdog · Aug 16, 2020

No H in WI either. The truck looks pretty good but I want a mid-size reg cab long box utilitarian truck if it powered by electrons. I like the bright light blue color though.

As far as the Tesla Cyborg-truck, it is a big no on about everything.

3930dave · Aug 16, 2020

Just picked the first 2 that came up....

Fully loaded tanker trucks that exploded in Highway 4 pileup were '''bombs on wheels,''' police say | CBC News

2 dead in tanker crash, fire on Toronto-area highway, officials say | CBC News

.... we don't really notice those when they happen.

Electricians and other people get killed by electricity every year.

Ya pick yer poison......

Rgds, D.

Industrial Toys · Aug 16, 2020

I try and get away from tankers carrying particular placards. 1203 for gasoline? A wreck involving those wouldn't be something I would look forward to. Probably people burned alive, were not even aware of their surroundings,

travisbb · Aug 16, 2020

I'm also in line to, if it doesn't make any major mistakes, buy a Cybertruck. So I guess I'd buy an electric pickup, but the Nikola isn't interesting to me at all.

I feel that hydrogen is a dead-end and 300 miles isn't enough range. As MossRoad and L47TLBwannabe note, the actual dependable range (irrespective of weather) of electric vehicles is a big question. Recent electric cars in Edmonton apparently get half their listed range in the deepest winter below -40. Once I guestimate deratings for various scenarios (-30% in winter, -15% hauling heavy, -50% towing, -5% for AC, etc.) only a range of 500+ miles works for me.

Electric pickups aren't going to be for the longhaul trucker who isn't willing to stop for a sit-down meal every seven hours or so. But that's fine for me. I normally don't drive more than 300 miles at a stretch. Never needing to fuel the truck on my way out, longevity, and smiles per mile should more than make up for it.

I don't care if it looks like an ugly Avalanche, I don't drive trucks for looks. I drive them for flexibility. Four doors, four wheel drive, a box and a hitch are what I care about.

Something I think electric trucks will change is the used pickup market. Used electric pickups feel like an expensive gamble compared to a conventional ICE since the battery costs so much. Electric drivetrains last much longer, but are also more expensive. I think with electric pickups it makes more sense to buy new on a long loan and run it for 30-40+ years. You then know the battery has been treated right and make back the expensive initial cost with fuel savings. Three or even ten year truck turnover looks much too expensive to me when the truck costs 30% more up front.