Nikola One hydrogen fuel cell electric semi trailer tractor
Credit: Electric Cars Report
You may have previously read about the Nikola One semi trailer tractor on these pages in June of this year.
In the interim, the specs have changed somewhat, but there is still reason to hope for reduced pollution & improved energy efficiency compared to diesel powered equivalents.
Previously, some details were lacking, but now it appears to be a conventional hydrogen fuel cell installation, with the fuel cell charging a lithium ion battery. Fuel cell vehicles do not compare favourably with battery electric vehicles, but when the competition is diesel ...
Specs include:
● 800-1,200 mile range
● sustainable hydrogen supply produced by electrolysis of water using solar electricity
● 15 minute refill time● 2,000 ft lbs torque
● 1,000 horsepower
● 320 kWh lithium ion battery
● up to 1,200-mile range
● regenerative braking
● reduced braking distance
● Nikola will be building a chain of 364 solar powered hydrogen refueling facilities in North America
In practice, the claimed advantages include:
● 2,000 pounds lower mass, translates into more load, & more income for the operator
● approximately double the power of diesel powered alternatives translates into reduced speed loss when climbing hills, shorter trip times & more income
● substantially improved acceleration reduces trip times
● regenerative braking reduces energy consumption & fuel costs
● fuel consumption 2 to 3 times better than diesel vehicles
AutoBlog
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/12/01/nikola-one-hydrogen-powered-semi-zero-emisson/
Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/01/nikola-unveils-its-hydrogen-powered-semi-truck/
Green Car Reports
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1107560_nikola-one-hydrogen-range-extended-electric-truck-to-be-unveiled-tonight
Manufacturer web site
https://nikolamotor.com/one#specs / This truck will come to market, I promise you that Nikola Motor Company founder CEO Trevor Milton big reveal event new zero-emission semi truck semi trailer tractor industrial area near downtown Salt Lake City Utah Milton Nikola One truck new company change the US trucking industry videos America needs trucks truckers improve vehicles lives lower costs no dirty emissions better cab lower costs mass weight Nikola One compared traditional diesel rig about 2,000 pounds lighter weight cab add payload move more goods more goods means more money purchase or lease price lease $5,000-$7,000 a month 72 months Nikola website million miles of free hydrogen drivers refuel fill up network 364 planned Nikola hydrogen stations US and southern Canada vertically integrated Nikola make hydrogen liquefy it truck it stations solar energy electrolyze water hydrogen H2 no emissions on-board hydrogen fuel cell energy 320-kWh lithium ion LiIon battery frame rail power truck's electric motors hydrogen tailpipe water vapor diesel powertrain Nikola One reduced maintenance semi trucks powertrain 1,000 horsepower 2,000 pound-feet of torque 1,200-mile range tank battery options 15.4 miles per gallon double the average diesel semi /
I would want to see the numbers for that comparison, and they would have to include emissions from making hydrogen from methane, because that's the only pathway that is currently commercial. And the fossil industry is making a song and dance to their Government contacts about how "clean" their fossil-based hydrogen is -- even though it isn't.
ReplyDeleteThe well-to-wheel (in)efficiency calcs would have to be methane (and don't forget the "fugitive" emissions), to hydrogen, to electricity via fuel cell, then (if i read the article right) to battery, then to motor and wheels, with an offset from regen braking. Very different to sun to electricity, then battery, then motor and wheels, with offset for regen braking.
ReplyDelete