dannoGB68 t1_ixl8cep wrote
Reply to comment by wotmate in This mining tractor developed by Caterpillar is completely battery-operated by redhatGizmo
Totally agree on downtime for recharging. Same issue for over the road semi tractors. Seems like both could be solved with cartridge-style batteries that could be swapped. The truck keeps going while the spare battery is on the charger. Similar to what is done in 24x7 warehouses with electric forklifts. Sure, it’s a different scale, but the same process.
IvorTheEngine t1_ixlkl7p wrote
Battery swaps would be much easier for mine trucks than long distance truckers, because all the batteries would be owned by the same company and the mine truck is never far from the charger.
A long-distance truck in Europe would probably be in a different country every time it needs a battery swap, so not only would the battery format have to be standard across all brands, but the billing system would have to handle multiple companies supplying batteries and charging infrastructure. Unless someone like Tesla could roll out a world-wide monopoly.
dannoGB68 t1_ixmnkc4 wrote
In the states, Class 8 semi tractors are dominated by 4 big manufacturers with Freightliner having the dominant market share.
I know it may seem like a strange analogy, but think about energy for your BBQ grill. When I need more, I take my tank to a convenience store and swap it for a full tank. I don’t care who had that tank before, just that it has a full charge. The BBQ grill industry with many manufacturers (or an agency) determined a standard fitting so that they are fully interchangeable.
You could do similar w batteries. For instance, Freightliner could partner w Pilot Truck Stops and set up battery swaps. They would ensure that the batteries meet specs and condition requirements and you’d pay for the charge.
One of our convenience store chains in the Midwest sells gas, diesel, cng, LNG, electricity, etc. Their stated mission is that they sell energy. Truck stops could do the same.
adventure_in_gnarnia t1_ixlbthx wrote
Semi truck drivers need to sleep and are limited to 11 hours driving in a 14-hour work day after 10 consecutive hours off duty… so these are nowhere close to the same scenario
dannoGB68 t1_ixlet72 wrote
I’ve worked for a very large trucking company for 25 years. I’m very aware. Current range is about 200 miles. That’s about 4 hrs for an OTR driver. What do you do for the rest of his 11 hour shift? Sit him while the truck recharges or swap batteries and go?
g1aiz t1_ixlwrek wrote
Designwerk just showed a 40t one with 360miles range fully loaded. We are getting there.
Tarcye t1_ixlyh0a wrote
The Problem isn't range it's weight. For EV semi trucks to be viable they have to weigh around as much as ICE ones.
swords-and-boreds t1_ixm4gl8 wrote
Tesla are making a 300 mile one and a 500 mile one. First deliveries to Frito Lay are in December. They’re also setting up a Megacharger network. Drive 4-8 hours, park for an hour, then a second leg. It’s becoming viable.
Edit: for accuracy, it looks like Tesla are not doing an entire megacharger network but rather installing them at client locations. In light of that, these trucks may remain more for regional hauling than cross-country. But if someone were to put chargers at truck stops, they’d work for both.
adventure_in_gnarnia t1_ixlfcp2 wrote
Range will continue to increase. But yea there’s still a lot of infrastructure and logistics to work out.
Just pointing out its drastically different duty cycles compared to a 3-shift manufacturing environment
dannoGB68 t1_ixlgntp wrote
I think that this is interesting. Probably not practical for long distances, but it could help reduce heavy battery draw while climbing steep grades.
Beowoulf355 t1_ixlaes6 wrote
A viable solution until tech improvement in recharging and batteries. If they also have less down time due to fewer moving parts, it could be a bonus.
Draskules t1_ixlc689 wrote
An issue I can see with the cartridge style is the weight. To power that massive machine you'd need some huge, heavy batteries. You would need a crane or somthing just to swap them out
IvorTheEngine t1_ixlj49m wrote
Even a forklift battery is far too heavy to lift by hand. The battery handling is part of the system. I'd imagine the truck would be able to lift and lower its own battery, and they'd use a long lead to power the truck between batteries.
cat_prophecy t1_ixn8gth wrote
Forklift batteries are also lead-acid and heavy on purpose as they’re used for the counterweight.
The minimum energy density of a LiOn battery is 28% higher than lead acid and that would be using old obsolete packs. For modern packs it’s about 200-300 times higher.
PROLAPSED_SUBWOOFER t1_ixmbbcj wrote
A machine to swap the batteries is not a big deal, even the smaller size forklift batteries are >2000lbs. Many forklifts actually use the battery as a counterweight . The issue is standardizing battery formats like electric forklifts have already done. A 10000lb truck battery wouldn't be much different, just would need a a bigger forklift to move the bigger battery.
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