Title: RE: Evil Hybrid SUV
FYI
Freightliner is looking to install Fuel cells to provide electricity
for Trucks so that when they are parked, they do not have to run the motor
for heat and power in the cab or to power refrigeration units. Since
Freightliner trucks are custom, and typically cost at least 125K, what is
another 10K, when they can make this up in the cost of Diesel fuel, engine
wear, and pollution in the 3-5 years they own the
truck.
I never thought about that application for a fuel cell. I was
always thinking about a fuel cell being part of the main drivetrain.
That is another great way for getting fuel cells into the market place.
Knowing that people who buy Class 8 Trucks (semi-tractors) are probably some
of the most conservative (in a completely non-political sense) consumers; do
you think that fuel cells will catch on? Half of me sees them being
bought for fuel savings alone, while the other half sees them as just another
thing that can break.
See
our press release on the subject:
It
is mostly for fuel savings. A one cent increase in Diesel adds about 30,000$
to costs for a truck running 100% over a year. A truck is usually used in
a Fleet for 3-5 years, for a total of around 1 million miles. If a Fuel cell
can reduce the costs of fuel by 1% indirectly, and assuming that Diesel is a
buck a gallon, they save $100,000 over the useful life of a truck. If the fuel
cell costs 20,000, they easily make it up over the life of a truck. For a
independent trucker, a one cent increase in Diesel can and does cause
bankruptcy. The independent trucker is hurting right now, considering the
price of diesel fluctuates. banks will only finance to independent truckers at
around 25% interest because of the high degree of bankruptcy (remember that
these trucks costs a min. of $125,000 -imagine that car payment!). 80,000
dollars savings is the difference between feeding their families and
bankruptcy.
A
great example of green technologies that
make "cents".
N erd from
Hell
Your
example of these features appearing first in luxury cars can also be
applied to commercial trucks that make money for fleets.
Agreed, but when do you see hybrids in trucking? I know that the
EPA is cracking the whip on the heavy truck industry to clean up
emissions; could a diesel-electric hybrid be considered in the near
future?
And for
your mention of the Unimog? Let's hear some *chuffing* and chest-beating
from the Brin-list male populace (except for John, since he drives a Station
wagon ;-> ).
Is
it not the ultimate All-Terrain vehicle?
I'll get my commercial driver's licence just for the test drive. :)
Matthew Bos
