SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
This week, diesel truck engine company Cummins made an unusual announcement. In addition to several new high-efficiency diesel engines, it also showed off an all-electric truck called the Concept Class 7 Urban Hauler EV. The truck is just a concept at the moment, but it's coming in the nick of time—just as Tesla is about to announce its own semi EV.
The 18,000-pound tractor cab, built by Roush, comes with a 140kWh battery and is capable of hauling a 22-ton trailer. According to Forbes, Cummins hopes to be able to sell its battery to truck and bus manufacturers by 2019. Forbes says the truck can run for 100 miles and be recharged in an hour, although Cummins is allegedly working on improving the battery so that by 2020, that recharge time is reduced to 20 minutes.
In a press release, Cummins also said that its EV would come with a diesel-engine generator that could extend the range of the battery to 300 miles, which would offer 50-percent fuel savings compared to straight diesel trucks.
Cummins' news comes just after Reuters reported that Tesla's electric semis will likely have a range of 200 to 300 miles and come with autonomous functions. The trucking industry is a major polluter, and electrification is seen as an important component in reducing greenhouse gases from that sector, in addition to implementing fuel efficiency measures.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Saturday September 02 2017, @10:41AM (2 children)
Thanks... my old van does not use DEF, but I know the newer diesels require it, and WalMart has shelf-fulls of it.
I guess (NH2)2CO + NOx -> N2 + CO2 + H2O one way or the other...
Maybe some sort of catalyst involved? I know the exhaust can get pretty hot if I am towing. This is something I have not looked too much into yet, but have an interest in retrofitting if I can do it cheaply and not affect the machine's reliability.
Thought some chemistry hacker might come up with a reactor I pee in once in a while to replenish the urea... albeit I would have to clean it out once in a while because other salts are also involved.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by sjames on Sunday September 03 2017, @01:52AM (1 child)
There is a catalyst, but I don't know what it is. I imagine using urine rather than somewhat pure urea would foul the reactor in short order.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Sunday September 03 2017, @05:24AM
I guess I am typical ol' farm boy... trying to find a use for everything.
Waste not, want not, or so some say.
I appreciate your observations... sure gives me a lotta help when I am likely to do something I'll soon regret.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]