Are we being forced to go electric?

[Andy in Germany]

Only one country decided to employ walking cycling first, Netherlands. Other European nations have followed to some extent. Until recently virtually all European cities allowed traffic in large numbers

And the NL managed this without EV's. We don't have a fuel problem; we have a car dependency problem.

 

[CXRAndy]

What's the current ratio?

(I won't ask about @classic33's current political affiliations)

I don't know. On the face of it, it looks like the project is progressing.
Obviously this is very early in the deployment of the electric semi.

The same growth probably happened in the Tesla road car. Very early adopters were willing to put up with issues to run an electric car. Recent history confirm the concept was a success and the catalyst for EV adoption across the world

 

[CXRAndy]

And the NL managed this without EV's. We don't have a fuel problem; we have a car dependency problem.

Yes we do

 

[All uphill]

And the NL managed this without EV's. We don't have a fuel problem; we have a car dependency problem.

I hear you @Andy in Germany and agree.

The car vs people discussion is not a popular one, though. Much more fun to discuss car type 1 or car type 2.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I don't know. On the face of it, it looks like the project is progressing.
Obviously this is very early in the deployment of the electric semi.

The same growth probably happened in the Tesla road car. Very early adopters were willing to put up with issues to run an electric car. Recent history confirm the concept was a success and the catalyst for EV adoption across the world

Recent history confirms that this works, depending how you define "works", on a limited scale, in some geographical areas, when you have access to cheap oil to support the infrastructure.

And if you ignore the hidden problems.

Yet to be shown is if this scales, if the grid can handle the extra load if there's universal adoption, what happens when there isn't cheap oil, or indeed the need to keep business as usual going given how intolerable it makes life for so many people.

 

[classic33]

Darned commie.

I am not, they're red!

Tesla likes the phrase "intends to".

21+15=36

I wonder what proportion of the total fleet that is?

Fleet hasn't seen any new deliveries, since the initial batch, or replacements for the five currently off the road.

 

[classic33]

Indeed. Not bad for local deliveries though; as I said before, othern manufacturers have recognised this and are concentrating on delivery vans and medium sized trucks which travel short to medium distances. This is an area where battery can feasibly be used.

Which is basically what Pepsi are using them for. Daily runs of 100 miles, or less.
Which isn't the distance along the M62 from the industrial park at Normanton to Liverpool and back. A normal everday journey for something that size.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Which is basically what Pepsi are using them for. Daily runs of 100 miles, or less.
Which isn't the distance along the M62 from the industrial park at Normanton to Liverpool and back. A normal everday journey for something that size.

A normal distance in the UK perhaps, in the US that's how far customers drive to by a Pepsi; I once drove over 100 miles in the US just to deliver some leaflets for the theatre company I worked for. "Long Distance" is a different concept in the US.

Tesla have apparently "demonstrated" a longish drive once, rather slowly. The video I've seen didn't show if that particular truck had a load or even a trailer.

Oh, and that one demonstration was being trumpeted as a success years after they claimed the trucks would be in every day revenue service with customers...

I am not, they're red!

Ah yes, but a scythe... that's nearly a sickle isn't it?

 

[classic33]

Come back when you have conclusive proof it's all a scam.

I will wait and see how the roll out takes hold in the next 2 years

There's only yourself calling it a scam.

At present other, older, established truck manufacturers are saying it defies the laws of physics, with regards to claims on mileage and load capacity.

 

[biggs682]

So will we see a 300 passenger airplane fly under electric power in my lifetime

 

[chris-suffolk]

There's only yourself calling it a scam.

At present other, older, established truck manufacturers are saying it defies the laws of physics, with regards to claims on mileage and load capacity.

Surely something like Hydrogen has to be the way to go for heavy loads and long distances - i.e. Trucks !

 

[classic33]

Surely something like Hydrogen has to be the way to go for heavy loads and long distances - i.e. Trucks !

Quite possible. Given there's auto gas in use on cars, why not.
There's plans for hydrogen storage offshore. So someone must be investing in the technology.

 

[geocycle]

The transition we are on is more complex than some on this thread recognise. We have to reduce and eventually remove oil based energy if we are going to remotely slow climate warming. It may well be that batteries are not the way for large trucks, fine, let them run on petrol until tech improves, or put goods on rails, or change supply chains. EV tech has improved hugely in 3 years, it will improve further and we will electrify the domestic and light vehicle fleet. We will need courageous government to change the way we view transport and make public options preferable to private ones as they already are in some cities, that doesn’t mean every location has the same solution. We are on the same side here!

 

[Alex321]

Around the 70 miles per charge mark. The vans can't hold a full load either to get to that distance.

DPD seem to think it sufficient. I think, given it is their business, they have a better idea than you or I about whether these vans are actually suitable.

 

[Alex321]

Possibly. But if you're driving on a multi drop trip, one parcel on that street, two on the road 200 yards further up basis, and are paid by the deliveries made, will you be keeping an eye on the charge status? When the fuel was liquid you had the opportunity to nip in to a petrol station for a quick top-up and go.

You won't be needing to keep an eye on it. That range is less than the majority of them will be doing in a day.

And it's the nature of the type of work being done that will limit their use at present.

Indeed. They are perfect for that type of work.

Not so good for the long motorway journeys.