Post by max on May 23, 2012 18:10:11 GMT 9.5
I created this thread to discuss how people and goods will get from point A to point B in a world without fossil fuels.
Siemens is working on an interesting concept to electrifiy trucking:
Because batteries are so expensive, these trucks are equipped with a pantograph which is computer controlled to establish and maintain contact with the overhead wires as the truck moves. This is more like the system used on trains rather than that on electric trolleybusses, which is prone to dewiring and rules out overtaking. In addition to that, the trucks carry an auxiliary diesel motor which powers the electric drive train when overhead wires are not availible.
Installation costs are projected to range from 2 to 3 Mio € per km, depending on local conditions. So for 120 - 180 Billion €, the entire European highway network (roughly 60000 km) could be electrified.
It's a promising concept, but all in all freight rail is still more efficient. Trucking has its flexibility and the extent of the existing road network going for it though. It may be cheaper to simply install overhead wires on existing highways and major roads than to extend rails into every minor town. Also, overhead wires would simply be an addition to existing roads, while a new rail line requires expensive, long-duration planning procedures and numerous permits, at least in most developed countries. A new, dedicated freight rail line in the Netherlands (Betuweroute), for example, was built for a cost of roughly 31 Mio € per km, more than 10 times of that of the eHighway infrastructure. In the end it's a trade off between energy efficient (more kg of goods transported per km per hour on freight rail lines) but capital cost intensive and inflexible freight rail and flexible but less energy efficient hybrid-electric trucking. I believe that both modes of transportation will prevail in a post fossil economy.
Siemens is working on an interesting concept to electrifiy trucking:
Because batteries are so expensive, these trucks are equipped with a pantograph which is computer controlled to establish and maintain contact with the overhead wires as the truck moves. This is more like the system used on trains rather than that on electric trolleybusses, which is prone to dewiring and rules out overtaking. In addition to that, the trucks carry an auxiliary diesel motor which powers the electric drive train when overhead wires are not availible.
Installation costs are projected to range from 2 to 3 Mio € per km, depending on local conditions. So for 120 - 180 Billion €, the entire European highway network (roughly 60000 km) could be electrified.
It's a promising concept, but all in all freight rail is still more efficient. Trucking has its flexibility and the extent of the existing road network going for it though. It may be cheaper to simply install overhead wires on existing highways and major roads than to extend rails into every minor town. Also, overhead wires would simply be an addition to existing roads, while a new rail line requires expensive, long-duration planning procedures and numerous permits, at least in most developed countries. A new, dedicated freight rail line in the Netherlands (Betuweroute), for example, was built for a cost of roughly 31 Mio € per km, more than 10 times of that of the eHighway infrastructure. In the end it's a trade off between energy efficient (more kg of goods transported per km per hour on freight rail lines) but capital cost intensive and inflexible freight rail and flexible but less energy efficient hybrid-electric trucking. I believe that both modes of transportation will prevail in a post fossil economy.
