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> Stuttgart to Bolzano via the Brenner pass (1370m) and back. It charged just once in Bolzano. What about a traffic jam where the trucks are stuck for hours on

> Stuttgart to Bolzano via the Brenner pass (1370m) and back. It charged just once in Bolzano. What about a traffic jam where the trucks are stuck for hours on the pass? How long can they keep it up and what happens when the batteries run out? I am aware that in the same situation you could also run out of fuel but it seems more unlikely to me. Also in the worst case you could haul fuel to the trucks.

TheAlchemist 3y ago
I would expect it to not be a problem for EV trucks - my understanding is that fuel engines needs to be kept running, while EV just drains power when it's using it - when stuck in a traffic jam I suppose it uses 0 ?
jillesvangurp 3y ago
Well batteries don't magically go dead but give you accurate information on how much range you have. In a traffic jam, EVs are super efficient. They don't idle; they just switch off. And they are also really good at generating loads of torque at low speeds. Probably a heavy electric truck is way more efficient than the diesel equivalent on a steep incline in a traffic jam. Going downhill, electrical trucks actually regenerate energy. 40 tonnes is a lot of potential energy. So, if you do get stuck in the mountains with a nearly empty battery yelling at you long before it dies, turning around is a valid option. Finally, this is a bit of road that is very challenging for ICE trucks. There's a slow lane, escape lanes, etc. Trucks breaking down, catching fire, etc. is a very regular event. They are well prepared for it. Thanks to decades of ICE trucks breaking down on this route. And of course mobile chargers are a thing in emergencies or just when a lot of power is needed somewhere. Just put a container of batteries on a truck and you have a nice mobile charger. That's already quite popular for installing temporary charging infrastructure at events. I don't see any advantage to having a diesel truck in such situations.
ChatGTP 3y ago
Wouldn't an EV use less energy in a traffic Jam? The engine does not constantly need to be running like a semi? Did I miss something?
- ofrzeta 3y ago
  Well, I was thinking about the typical stop-and-go but on a mountain - that would presumably take a lot of energy.
  - ChatGTP 3y ago
    I'd still imagine it would again take more energy for an ICE in this situation? The ICE aside from all the inefficiencies of the engine, needs to run constantly and then gain enough revs to begin moving, where as the electric truck suffers from none of this, you put your foot down and the electrons flow, are used almost precisely. Then if there is a downhill on this road, the EV can likely use regenerative breaking to gain some energy back. Pretty awesome.

TheAlchemist 3y ago

I would expect it to not be a problem for EV trucks - my understanding is that fuel engines needs to be kept running, while EV just drains power when it's using it - when stuck in a traffic jam I suppose it uses 0 ?

jillesvangurp 3y ago

Well batteries don't magically go dead but give you accurate information on how much range you have. In a traffic jam, EVs are super efficient. They don't idle; they just switch off. And they are also really good at generating loads of torque at low speeds. Probably a heavy electric truck is way more efficient than the diesel equivalent on a steep incline in a traffic jam. Going downhill, electrical trucks actually regenerate energy. 40 tonnes is a lot of potential energy. So, if you do get stuck in the mountains with a nearly empty battery yelling at you long before it dies, turning around is a valid option. Finally, this is a bit of road that is very challenging for ICE trucks. There's a slow lane, escape lanes, etc. Trucks breaking down, catching fire, etc. is a very regular event. They are well prepared for it. Thanks to decades of ICE trucks breaking down on this route. And of course mobile chargers are a thing in emergencies or just when a lot of power is needed somewhere. Just put a container of batteries on a truck and you have a nice mobile charger. That's already quite popular for installing temporary charging infrastructure at events. I don't see any advantage to having a diesel truck in such situations.

ChatGTP 3y ago

Wouldn't an EV use less energy in a traffic Jam? The engine does not constantly need to be running like a semi? Did I miss something?

ofrzeta 3y ago
Well, I was thinking about the typical stop-and-go but on a mountain - that would presumably take a lot of energy.
- ChatGTP 3y ago
  I'd still imagine it would again take more energy for an ICE in this situation? The ICE aside from all the inefficiencies of the engine, needs to run constantly and then gain enough revs to begin moving, where as the electric truck suffers from none of this, you put your foot down and the electrons flow, are used almost precisely. Then if there is a downhill on this road, the EV can likely use regenerative breaking to gain some energy back. Pretty awesome.