Perhaps. But you’re marking unsubstantiated statements regarding all types of vehicles…
I was referring to the emission control systems in Diesel semi trucks. I quoted you when I replied so there shouldn't be any confusion. These systems have been problematic for a long time. I should add that improper uses/user error exacerbates the problems that companies experience with these emission control systems. The introduction on EGR for truck Diesel engines for the 2007 model year wasn't even that bad. What followed after that was painful though. May I point out how stupid it is to burn even more diesel fuel via injector number seven to "pollute less"? These systems could have been done better. However, they were rushed to market, and in the years after they kept getting patched up without actually being thoroughly overhauled. And probably, they never will.
Come on. That’s a ridiculous question if you are as established as you claim.
The point of at 0 rpm is because you need to get a load moving. Time will tell what the thermal performance of the battery will be, but obviously there’s a much better amount of cooling area in a truck than in a Tesla car.
It's a legitimate question. Driving up long steep grades requires a lot of torque. For how long can it sustain it before it runs out of juice? It's an electric vehicle after all.
again, if you’re as established as you claim, you surely know of the work on small apps for anti idle and cabin comfort, as well as some of the other approaches taken for certain vehicles, like the BMW approach on the i3.
I thought we were talking in the context of semi trucks. There is more than one type of APU when it comes to trucks. Idling a Diesel engine for cabin comfort is only one problem, there are other situations where a truck has to generate power using the engine.
This is the second time when you said "established", and at least the third time that you twist my words. I said "
involved", not "
established". Big difference.
I'm trying to have a conversation, and share what little bit of information I have, and maybe learn something new in exchange. Maybe a debate, if you will. But when I have to re-explain and re-word what I previously said because someone else is getting emotional about my post and starts twisting the meaning of what I wrote, literally on the same page, then it becomes an unpleasant chore. I'm not here for that. Cooler heads...
Time will tell if it is cost competitive. IMO the Tesla cars arent cost competitive… but the objective look at dollars and cents will get looked at by fleets, and I’d suspect that Tesla has done some due diligence on this.
It will ultimately come down to fleet managers to gather the data. Usually when a new technology is involved, trucking companies convert a small percentage of their fleet to the new technology. In the past it was for automatic transmissions, super single tires, etc. That way they can gather data and decide if the switch is cost effective. However, this data collection can take a few years. The initial purchase cost of the vehicle is one aspect. Maintenance and operational expenses is what it comes down to. Medium and large trucking companies can't run to a Tesla dealer for every little thing, many of them have their own shops. Staff needs to be either trained, or new staff hired to work on these trucks. There is a lot that goes into this. Not one fleet manager will okay the purchase of any equipment based on the cool factor alone.
neither are the latest emissions controlled trucks. There’s another good thread on that… between repairs, the highway robbery type costs for towing, etc. it’s insane.
Trucks are being towed for many reasons. You'd be surprised how many are towed because of a plugged fuel filter. Many of the steering wheel holders today don't check them, don't keep spares, and don't know how to replace them on the road. Neither are they trained to do so. Also, many of the reasons why trucks are being towed are preventable. I learned a lot about highway robbery and you can get fleeced out there, believe me.
Pepsi, for one . I've heard, but haven't verified, that JB Hunt has an interest. Didn't Amazon order or somehow get involved with Rivian. These trucks would be perfect for some of their applications.
Yes, I did include them in my previous reply. I hope it works out for them. As rich as they are, they don't really care. If nothing else, it's a good PR move for them because they're making an effort to go green.
The other part of your question would be answerable once the cost was known. Let's see if the costs can be compared. A new Freightliner Cascadia tickets for about $160,00 and goes up from there. $190,00 - $200,00 is not unreasonable for a nicely equipped model. The only figure I have thus far for the Tesla is $180,00 ... does anyone have something different?
Diesel semi truck prices are insane. As an owner operator there is no way to buy one of these rigs, maintain it, make the payments, and stay out of bankruptcy court for very long. Large companies have different types of purchase agreements, and they have contracts in place for the freight they haul.
To make a long story short, I'd be shocked to see owner operators buying into electric trucks. It's a dying trade.
There is another change coming into effect, and that is shorter hauls. Unless something has to make it fast from one coast to the other, that freight will spend some time in a consolidation warehouse. I can see electric trucks working out for this type of hauling for short routes. Sleepers probably won't even be needed.
Change is coming to the transportation sector. Not all of it is good. If up until a short few years ago the average family was spending about 1/4 of their income on transportation, give or take, things have gotten worse, and we the advent of electrified vehicles it will become even worse. The other thing is the proprietary nature of these vehicles. It would help everyone if we, at the very least had a universal battery technology in place that was compatible across manufacturers, by vehicle class of course. And then having easily replaceable batteries would have been a big plus as well. However, the reality is that the industry is profit driven first, and solution driven second. We may accept this as the norm, but it hurts us tremendously in the end.
