Why not diesel electric trucks?

BenK wrote:
To answer the OP’s question directly…

Sure thing. Pretty easy to boot, but the solution will take much space

Take a Model 3 and say it’s battery/motor is a 50KW system

So just take a gas or diesel 50KW generator of the correct voltage and the fuel tank system to keep it going.

All the parts are readily available at most any hardware store…except for the DOT fuel tank. Junk yard would be the best source, or if money no problem…order a brand new one from any OEM

Then find the space to mount all that & the cabling/controls to manage it all

Maybe toss the battery’s to boot, but they would be needed for regenerative braking…or toss the batteries and use resisters to absorb the regenerative braking power & reject it as heat.

Hey !…maybe we’ve just solved Tusk’s Semi problem !!! :B

schlep1967 wrote:
If a single diesel electric locomotive can pull 27,000,000 pounds, why has it not been scaled down to pull 20-40,000 pounds yet?

Sure, do all that and you'll have a truck with the acceleration and gradeability of a diesel locomotive. ;) 50 KW is only 68 horsepower. That's why you would need that big battery.