Semi trucks: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "Semi trucks, also known as freight trucks, transport goods that people consume. Unlike cars, semi trucks are harder to electrify, because: * more energy needs to be stored, for longer-range trips * more peak power is needed The few existing solutions on the market today rely on lithium-ion batteries which contain way too much cobalt to scale up. ==Candidates== ''This page needs more research before it can reach a decent conclusion.'' {{minor|Note: We probably do...") |
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* Would the charging stations on the highway be in locations suited for [[wind]] and/or [[solar]]? | * Would the charging stations on the highway be in locations suited for [[wind]] and/or [[solar]]? | ||
* Frequent stops could also improve [[labor]] conditions. Truckers currently have to drive for 16 hours at a time sometimes - the prolonged sitting is bad for long-term health. However, truck stops would have to be designed to be more enjoyable if truckers are going to have to wait there more often. | * Frequent stops could also improve [[labor]] conditions. Truckers currently have to drive for 16 hours at a time sometimes - the prolonged sitting is bad for long-term health. However, truck stops would have to be designed to be more enjoyable if truckers are going to have to wait there more often. | ||
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Semi trucks run on diesel fuel, which is [[oil refining|(in some sense)]] a by-product of gasoline production. If cars are made electric but semi trucks are not, there won't be much diesel available for the trucks; diesel would become the main product, gasoline would become a byproduct; gas prices would drop while diesel prices would soar; there would be growing stockpiles of gasoline in industrial storage facilities; if some industry finds some way to make use of this cheap gasoline, then we failed to reduce CO2 emissions; or if all that gasoline isn't used, then where will it all be stored? | |||
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==See also== | |||
* [[Electric vehicles]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:46, 8 October 2023
Semi trucks, also known as freight trucks, transport goods that people consume.
Unlike cars, semi trucks are harder to electrify, because:
- more energy needs to be stored, for longer-range trips
- more peak power is needed
The few existing solutions on the market today rely on lithium-ion batteries which contain way too much cobalt to scale up.
Candidates
This page needs more research before it can reach a decent conclusion.
Note: We probably don't have time to wait for huge technological breakthroughs that could take decades or not come at all.
Here's what could be done with existing technologies:
Hydrogen fuel cells
Fuel cells need platinum-group metals (PGMs). The amount is proportional to the peak power of the vehicle. Considering how much peak power a truck needs to have, how much PGMs would be needed to make them all fuel-cell based? Would it be within the limits of global mineral reserves? [QUANTIFICATION needed]
At least compressed hydrogen gas is probably ok in terms of energy density.
Sodium-ion batteries
Sodium-ion batteries have less energy density than lithium-ion. Would there still be enough energy stored?
Suppose it's ok for trucks to make more stops for charging:
- In how many cases would perishable goods be affected?
- If a lot, then: Hot take: If we want to get off of fossil fuels, we have to make our diets more nonperishable
(...)( aside from ultra-local foods, or maybe not even ) . Healthy diets are still viable with a multivitamin.
- If a lot, then: Hot take: If we want to get off of fossil fuels, we have to make our diets more nonperishable
- Would the charging stations on the highway be in locations suited for wind and/or solar?
- Frequent stops could also improve labor conditions. Truckers currently have to drive for 16 hours at a time sometimes - the prolonged sitting is bad for long-term health. However, truck stops would have to be designed to be more enjoyable if truckers are going to have to wait there more often.