|
The technology could probably be easily adapted to work on a big rig (or other vehicles). I've been working on them for the past few years and I think the biggest problem would be the initial cost factor for the technology involved. It would be similar to that of a car, except it would have to move 40 tons (or so) instead of 2 tons. To me, the cost would be the main concern for larger fleet companies, however, for the companies that could afford the initial costs of the technology, they could probably make it all back in only a couple of years (or less) by reducing fuel costs. For the companies that do their own maintanance, it would also save on that end too from not having the front components wear as quickly from current engine torque issues.
Another consideration to remember, is in order for that to become feasable to the customer with the current gross vehicle weight road laws of 40 tons, the technology would need to be less weight than the current powertrains in those vehicles. I mainly work on late-model Freightliner Century trucks (class 8 vehicles), and the average truck (3 axle, 128" sleeper cab, with either a 515hp detroit or a c-15 cat engine) already weighs around 8.5 tons. I would personally guess the engine to weigh around a ton and the transmission weighs another 800lbs (according to shipping papers). I think I remember reading in the reports about many hybrid small cars that they get a considerable gain in weight from that technology. If that's the case for a 4 wheeled small car, just imagine how much it would probably weigh to power an 80,000lb truck with 4 (or more) powered wheels.
There is talk in the trucking industry of some companies experimenting with the concept right now, but so far (to my knowledge) that's all. The idea is an excellent one for improving current efficiency from say, an average of 5-6 mpg with a current consumption rate of 5-6 gal/ hr. With the concept of electric motors powering the wheels, fuel consumption could drop to as little as 2-3 gal/hr, which would save the companies (or driver if owner operator) as much as $15/hr (saying fuel is $5/gal) of highway operation. With the current "rules of service" being a 70hr week, and the truck running all 70 hrs/week, 52 weeks a year, with that technology, they could probably save around $54,600 annually per truck.
The system COULD work on agri equipment as well. Weight wouldn't be as big of an issue, but the equipment would still require a big motor to run the hydraulics to operate the machinery.
As far as pickup trucks are concerned... You still got the intial cost of the technology to factor in. In theory, swapping the current bigger engine and transmission for a smaller engine with a generator attatched and electric motors would make sense. I think it's already being experimented with as well. Like with the semi-trucks, initial costs would probably be the main concerns in light trucks.
Regardless of changing to that technology, the engines STILL need to be more efficient and cleaner to keep the hippies quiet. I guess people just need to realise that if you buy something from anywhere, a SEMI-TRUCK brought it there, and if they run off all the truck drivers, nobody will have the chance to buy anything because nobody can deliver it with out those "big, loud, slow, dirty" trucks.
"you can only please SOME people ALL the time, but you cant please everybody all the time..."
|