Needs to happen. Not sure if now is the right time.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/1...achine-smith-electric-truck-comes-to-america/
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/1...achine-smith-electric-truck-comes-to-america/
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The Electric Truck
- Thread starter malcolm
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- Electric Vehicles
mt2
Member
I saw that too.
It baffles me that the trucking industry is jumping from ICE to EV, skipping the hybrid. Simply put, GE Electromotive has been doing serial hybrids in trains for years, for all the reasons you'd want to do it in a truck - high torque at low speed and better fuel economy. And the trucking industry can add regenerative braking to the equation.
There's got to be a reason I'm missing. I can see the reasoning for BEV in city vehicles. But why doesn't Electromotive make long-haul trucks?
Hmm... this sort of gets back to the suggestion that GE get in the automotive industry, doesn't it?
It baffles me that the trucking industry is jumping from ICE to EV, skipping the hybrid. Simply put, GE Electromotive has been doing serial hybrids in trains for years, for all the reasons you'd want to do it in a truck - high torque at low speed and better fuel economy. And the trucking industry can add regenerative braking to the equation.
There's got to be a reason I'm missing. I can see the reasoning for BEV in city vehicles. But why doesn't Electromotive make long-haul trucks?
Hmm... this sort of gets back to the suggestion that GE get in the automotive industry, doesn't it?
Hybrid trucks do exist:
http://www.calstart.org/programs/htuf/
http://www.happynews.com/news/11920...enters-hybrid-commercial-truck-production.htm
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/11/peterbilt_to_in.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/hybrid_truck_un.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/milestone_hybri.php
http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/multimedia/2007/09/gallery_hybrid_trucks2/
http://trucks.about.com/cs/militarytrucks/a/gm_miltary.htm
http://www.hybrid-vehicles.net/dodge-ram-hybrid-truck.htm
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20071108005866&newsLang=en
...etc...
http://www.calstart.org/programs/htuf/
http://www.happynews.com/news/11920...enters-hybrid-commercial-truck-production.htm
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/11/peterbilt_to_in.html
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/hybrid_truck_un.php
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/milestone_hybri.php
http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/multimedia/2007/09/gallery_hybrid_trucks2/
http://trucks.about.com/cs/militarytrucks/a/gm_miltary.htm
http://www.hybrid-vehicles.net/dodge-ram-hybrid-truck.htm
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/...d=news_view&newsId=20071108005866&newsLang=en
...etc...
Wal Mart is operating parallel hybrid trucks in their fleet.
Oshkosh has developed series hybrid comparable to a diesel electric locomotive for military applications.
Why isn't it widespread? If the power unit (the truck pulling the trailer) costs too much it does not make economic sense. Truck manufacturers this years are enduring sales that are down by 35% since everybody rushed last year to buy truck prior to the new diesel emission requirements for 2007.
The trucking industry needs to make some money when it pulls a load, the trucking customers are not interested in paying more money to have their loads pulled by hybrids.
Oshkosh has developed series hybrid comparable to a diesel electric locomotive for military applications.
Why isn't it widespread? If the power unit (the truck pulling the trailer) costs too much it does not make economic sense. Truck manufacturers this years are enduring sales that are down by 35% since everybody rushed last year to buy truck prior to the new diesel emission requirements for 2007.
The trucking industry needs to make some money when it pulls a load, the trucking customers are not interested in paying more money to have their loads pulled by hybrids.
mt2
Member
I guess I didn't do my homework, TEG. It's good to see Peterbilt getting into the game. Still, I'm surprised it took so long. But I suppose a high torque, cheap fuel diesel engine didn't demand a replacement until recently.
Back to the electric truck, I'm kind of stumped on the market for them. It's obvious that it's intended for urban delivery vehicles. But the cost of the technology could easily offset any fuel savings. So the only draw would be zero emissions. And unless a company got enormous tax breaks or can write it off as PR expense, I don't see where the truck will has any appeal to businesses.
Back to the electric truck, I'm kind of stumped on the market for them. It's obvious that it's intended for urban delivery vehicles. But the cost of the technology could easily offset any fuel savings. So the only draw would be zero emissions. And unless a company got enormous tax breaks or can write it off as PR expense, I don't see where the truck will has any appeal to businesses.
SByer
'08 #383
Think of it as risk abatement; it's a hedge against higher future fuel costs. How much risk you think there is would affect how much you're willing to pay now to hedge against it for some level of savings.
Diesel's getting expensive now and I don't think it's ever going to get much cheaper. Electric trucks may cost more up front but it does have some advantages over diesel. Not only is electricity a lot cheaper than diesel but it is more insulated from price and/or supply shocks. (ie. sudden conflict in a "pick an oil producing country" is not going to raise your fuel costs overnight)
Also, maintenance cost and downtime is greatly reduced. A truck is not making you money when it's at the shop for it's oil change, etc.
Of course in this day and age it could be a brilliant PR move. Not only can you say your vehicles are not contributing to global warming, they're also not making the city air unbreathable.
Here's a press release from Smith Electric and Tanfield on one of their latest moves.
Also, maintenance cost and downtime is greatly reduced. A truck is not making you money when it's at the shop for it's oil change, etc.
Of course in this day and age it could be a brilliant PR move. Not only can you say your vehicles are not contributing to global warming, they're also not making the city air unbreathable.
Here's a press release from Smith Electric and Tanfield on one of their latest moves.
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BBC Visits Modec Factory
BBC visits Modec factory:
BBC NEWS | UK | How to turn white van man green
This appeared on the main 6pm news as part of this report:
BBC NEWS | UK | Climate targets means bills to rise
BBC visits Modec factory:
BBC NEWS | UK | How to turn white van man green
This appeared on the main 6pm news as part of this report:
BBC NEWS | UK | Climate targets means bills to rise
The above Newton truck isn't a Ford, but this is:
So, what's all this (garbage-powered electric truck), then? - AutoblogGreen
So, what's all this (garbage-powered electric truck), then? - AutoblogGreen
This is the article I was referring to:
Ford confirms Transit Connect EV with Smith Electric for 2010 - AutoblogGreen
There we go, I'm not crazy (I think anyway).
Mitsubishi Fuso delivers hybrid trucks in Europe, getting lithium batteries from SK Energy — Autoblog Green
Interesting to see another part of Daimler partner with yet another battery supplier.
Interesting to see another part of Daimler partner with yet another battery supplier.
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