An electric Super C, maybe?

[theatremusician]

I saw this on Engadget today. It would be very interesting to see this truck used as the basis of a Super C rig (assuming it ever comes to market)…

http://www.engadget.com/2016/05/11/nikola-motor-company-tesla-of-trucking/

[RobbieH]

Locomotives run the same way, but they call them "diesel locomotives". 🙂

[theatremusician]

However, if the plug-in electricity source is fossil-fuel derived, it does nothing to help with carbon emissions.

Carbon schmarbon. I like the tech, I don't give a **** about carbon emissions.

[rjstractor]

theatermusician wrote:
As I understand it, the CNG engine is used to charge the batteries not run the vehicle.

The vehicle runs on batteries and the CNG engine charges the batteries. So, the actual energy to move the vehicle comes from the CNG engine. A plug-in option and regenerative braking would help efficiency. However, if the plug-in electricity source is fossil-fuel derived, it does nothing to help with carbon emissions.

[crasster]

Love it. Look forward to see it coming mainstream.

[burlmart]

they've been in use in california for several yrs now. they were discussed on one of these forums

[tatest]

The whole fuel-electric idea, initiated by GM to get around the cost of building mechanical gear trains for the 2000-10,000 HP level, gets its efficiency from the idea that you use only as many engines hooked to generators as needed to provide the power needed for load and grade by the traction motors. Thus you might fire up five diesels to accelerate, three for a grade, one or two for cruising on the flat, and let just one idle on a downgrade while you use the traction motors for braking, dumping their energy into ballast resistors to be dissipated as heat.

Hybrid concept does it differently, engine large enough for cruise power, batteries to provide extra power for acceleration or short grades, and maybe some energy recovery during retro braking if the operator can appropriately adjust driving style.

[theatremusician]

As I understand it, the CNG engine is used to charge the batteries not run the vehicle.

[rjstractor]

Interesting idea. It's not really electric though, it's actually powered by CNG. The fuel/electric idea can be very efficient, though, been used for many years in locomotives. Not sure why they need 2000 hp in a semi.