Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
The turbine as pointed out is not connected to the drive wheels and only runs at peak efficiency as a powerhead for the generator. You are right a diesel could do the same job more efficiently today. This is 10 years out, so right about when the Elios are rolling off the line. At any point they could easily drop the turbine and go with a CNG piston powerhead on the generator. No doubt they want not just efficiency but the cleanest truck on the road and thanks to VW nobody is going to look at a diesel as clean ever again. Also the point here is this is an electric truck, if you say it goes 1200 miles on 150 gallons of diesel you are just another diesel truck on the road even if you aren't powering the wheels. That kind of diesel electric hybrid technology is already on the road. These guys are trying something new.
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They are in reality producing a battery electric truck for OTR use. However, they must use an exceedingly large batter pack to have any useful range which is not enough for a 600 mile driving stint. So, they must use a genset to extend the range. But, the weight is the issue. They chose a micro turbine based solely on its high power to weight ratio. Lightening the structure is also in order so that they can still carry the industry standard freight load within the 80,000 lbs of road load limits. The thirstiness of the micro turbine is offset by using CNG as the base fuel and offering free fuel to offer the buyer payback times that are short. However, accepting a much shorter electric range of around 100 miles with rapid charging as mentioned by several posters would allow drayage and nodal carriers who have a predictable route to run almost purely on electricity via quick charge stops or overhead cable connects.
This would not help the Independent Operator who goes where his load takes him. Sheppards' Starship would be a much more saleable item to that market niche. Free fuel doesn't help the Independent when that fuel is nowhere near the pickup or drop off point. The Nikola truck would really be better targeted at the corporate firms that run large node freight centers as the free fuel is easily stored and dispensed there.
An aside to this discussion has been the turbine technology available. In another thread, powder printing was discussed. Powder printing along with nano scale powders allows alloying of metals/materials that would not be possible in the standard melt pot. There is exciting research that will allow turbines more leeway to run at higher compressor ratios and combustor temperatures. This will add several percent to their thermal efficiency. Now all we will need is for Thermo Electric Materials to find a breakthrough that will allow electric power generation from the high value turbine exhaust heat without adding much to weight and bulk.