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Implementing a battery-swap system at major truck stops seems plausible. The semi would pull in, its battery pack would be pulled out by a light crane and slot
by photochemsyn 4y ago
Implementing a battery-swap system at major truck stops seems plausible. The semi would pull in, its battery pack would be pulled out by a light crane and slotted into a charging unit, and a fresh pack would be installed, no stop-over time needed.
I also wonder whether semis on certain well-defined long-haul routes (I-80 etc) could be partially automated, such that the driver could sleep in the back of the cab much of the time. Not sure if the technology is really there yet, though.
- p1necone 4y ago> I also wonder whether semis on certain well-defined long-haul routes (I-80 etc) could be partially automated, such that the driver could sleep in the back of the cab much of the time. Not sure if the technology is really there yet, though. Sure, it's called a train.
- euroderf 4y agoMaybe combined with autonomous electric forklifts to shuttle cargo to/from a waystation.
- crote 4y agoForklifts?! No, you either use intermodal containers, or just put the entire trailer onto the train.
- euroderf 4y agoSure containers are the standard... except for the last mile for non-industrial, which is a lot of stuff.
- anticensor 4y agoEven at that last mile, you could use trams that take NATO bicons. 80 tonnes per 40ft container, which divides into four equal 20-tonne bicons.
- euroderf 4y agoAnother consideration might be forklift pallets, except that the market is badly fragmented.
- anticensor 4y agoBicons are forkliftable.
- AtlasBarfed 4y agoYou don't need a swap system even. Just tow a trailer (you know like those multi-trailer semis UPS and others have) but one of them is a battery (or generator if you want), and swap the trailer at a swap station.
- berniedurfee 4y agoOr just swap the whole truck.