3 ms·

Just as a thought experiment, I'm trying to imagine what a non-diesel version of a Caterpillar D8 would look like, and where you'd be able to hide the batteries

by douche 10y ago

Just as a thought experiment, I'm trying to imagine what a non-diesel version of a Caterpillar D8 would look like, and where you'd be able to hide the batteries. I think you'd need much better batteries than what we've got now. It's hard to beat the energy density of diesel.

drcross 10y ago
Yeah. There are many other civilian industries where electric is simply a no go until batteries capacity is vastly more improved (which, admittedly is does, 8% year on year). Remote towns with limited infrastructure, woodland rangers, heavy industry patrol cars, rescue vehicles. The tried and trusted way of doing things with a very easy refuel process will be around for a long time to come after most ICE cars are off the roads.
7952 10y ago
I wonder if it would be better to switch them to be methane powered in the shorter term.
baq 10y ago
heavy equipment is easier to hide serious fuel cells in them, which should have better total energy density than batteries.
dredmorbius 10y ago
Keep in mind that a lot of construction and earth-moving equipment has substantial counterweights and center-of-gravity mass engineering. Replacing steel with battery doesn't imply a cost constraint. I have my own doubts over the viability for long-lived battery-powered construction equipment. At the same time, running high-voltage power leads all over a construction site would be dangerous (it already is a hazard for carpentry and powering handheld equipment). A combination of modest battery packs and quick-charging stations might offer a fair mix. Construction equipment spends a fair bit of time at or near idle power, mixed with high-load (mostly high-torque) power demands. This actually fits the capabilities of electric power fairly well. It's the storage capacity, cost, and damage risks which seem to argue against it.
- Gibbon1 10y ago
  A short search pops up this Catepillar D7E Electric Drive Dozer. Still diesel powered, but the drive train is fully electric. 'The engine is a turbocharged diesel—a 9.3-liter inline-six that makes 235 horsepower' At 235 HP that's similar to the Tesla Model S. Though being fair the Model S's motor operates at a fraction of that most of the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JNPolgxDk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JNPolgxDk

by douche 10y ago

drcross 10y ago

Yeah. There are many other civilian industries where electric is simply a no go until batteries capacity is vastly more improved (which, admittedly is does, 8% year on year). Remote towns with limited infrastructure, woodland rangers, heavy industry patrol cars, rescue vehicles. The tried and trusted way of doing things with a very easy refuel process will be around for a long time to come after most ICE cars are off the roads.

7952 10y ago

I wonder if it would be better to switch them to be methane powered in the shorter term.

baq 10y ago

heavy equipment is easier to hide serious fuel cells in them, which should have better total energy density than batteries.

dredmorbius 10y ago

Keep in mind that a lot of construction and earth-moving equipment has substantial counterweights and center-of-gravity mass engineering. Replacing steel with battery doesn't imply a cost constraint. I have my own doubts over the viability for long-lived battery-powered construction equipment. At the same time, running high-voltage power leads all over a construction site would be dangerous (it already is a hazard for carpentry and powering handheld equipment). A combination of modest battery packs and quick-charging stations might offer a fair mix. Construction equipment spends a fair bit of time at or near idle power, mixed with high-load (mostly high-torque) power demands. This actually fits the capabilities of electric power fairly well. It's the storage capacity, cost, and damage risks which seem to argue against it.

Gibbon1 10y ago
A short search pops up this Catepillar D7E Electric Drive Dozer. Still diesel powered, but the drive train is fully electric. 'The engine is a turbocharged diesel—a 9.3-liter inline-six that makes 235 horsepower' At 235 HP that's similar to the Tesla Model S. Though being fair the Model S's motor operates at a fraction of that most of the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JNPolgxDk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JNPolgxDk