[quote=spdrun]
As far as energy storage tech: you’re forgetting about hydrogen, either to power an internal combustion engine, or to run fuel cells. You’re also supposing that we need most cars/trucks to have a range of > 100 miles. We already have electric vehicles essentially with unlimited range: trains.
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Hydrogen doesn’t exist as H2 in large quantities naturally in the world. It has to be extracted from H2O or more commonly CH4 (methane). Extracting it from H2O takes a lot of energy. Extracting it from CH4 produces CO2. Hydrogen fuel cells are decent but they aren’t a panacea. It could work I just don’t know if it’s really that much better than compressed natural gas. Don’t waste time with extracting the H2 and having to store it in a highly pressurized state when I can just use the CH4 in a lower pressurized state.
As for trains the long haul ones use diesel generators to generate the electricity. I know commuter trains back east mostly use electrified tracks, but most of that electricity is coming from fossil fuel power stations. If we’re willing to go the nuclear route then going with electricity make more sense but uranium nuclear or even thorium nuclear would take years to build out in the current environment. You’d have to be planning/r&d it now if you want it online in 10 years.
[quote]
As far as 50+ mpg 3000+ lb cars, Prius is close to 3000 lb and gets about 50 mpg, no? Besides, with improved crash avoidance and CAD tech, who says that cars NEED to be over 3000 lb. It’s perfectly possible to build a 4-door that weighs 2500 lb, think Honda Fit.[/quote]
If you drive the prius right you can get 50 mpg or more but most people aren’t that willing to drive 55-60 mph on the highway to get that mileage. I think the more realistic mileage is probably 40-45 mpg. So maybe we’re close but is everybody ready to trade in their SUVs, sports cars, and trucks to drive priuses. I don’t see a pickup truck or SUV getting anywhere close to 50 mpg in the next 10 years. The thermodynamics just don’t seem to be there.
