Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
A gas turbine can be more efficient then a diesel when used as a powered for a generator. That is how I read this. The electic motors at the wheels are powered by a battery. The CNG turbine just trys to keep the battery charged. In 1200 miles both the batteries and the CNG is empty and it needs charged and refuled. The driver would be at his limit anyway before that point. Many heavy trucks are used less then 500 miles and may be able to go pure electic.
As pointed out, this is how a locomotive works but also how a submarine is powered.
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Modern gas turbines are rated just above 39% thermal efficiency. Many class 8 diesels are at 48% thermal efficiency and some cutting edge applications are knocking on 52%. The only way a gas turbine exceeds this efficiency is via co-generation with a steam cycle using some of the high value exhaust heat from the gas turbine. I doubt they are using a steam cycle as a co-generator in the Nikola Truck.
However, the fuel is supposedly free for a period of time after purchase, so the efficiency is really a moot point when viewed by Nikola Motor Company.