Diesel pickups are for chumps

[Gman]

Is that a new engine offering in the F150?

Yes, sir. I've also got my eye open for details on the new 3.0l I-6 Duramax Turbo Diesel coming to the 2019 Silverado/Sierra.
The 2018 F-150. Six powerful engines. Now including diesel.

[Gman]

Same with supercars. It is about performance, not green, the latter is a nice side benefit.

Being done by Porsche and McLaren that I recall. I know Ferrari is also in testing. Using the electric motors as an assist makes a lot of sense, particularly on the low end.

After years of skepticism, Ferrari is testing an electric supercar

Right now electric cars are not lucrative for automakers, compared to their combustion-engine models. But they’re under intense pressure to electrify all or most of their model ranges within the next few years or face penalties for not hitting their CO2 targets—not to mention falling behind their competitors. They also need to keep catering to their wealthy customers by giving them an alternative to the pioneering Tesla S.

Porsche is already streets ahead of Ferrari, with its Mission E slated for launch at the end of next year, and the Mission E Cross Turismo after that. Bentley, Aston Martin, and Jaguar are already gearing up to debut high-performance hybrids too.

[SAnd]

Maybe instead of rolling coal, trucks of the future will have Tesla coils instead of exhaust pipes and put out displays of sparks.

I was hoping for something more along the lines of a directional Electro Magnetic Pulser at the touch of a switch. I would love something to blast the bomity boom boom music blasters. Also it would be a safety service to fry some peoples cell phones.

[SAnd]

Where is all the electricity going to come from? It has to be generated and transported. That is going to cost if and when it ever get done. We also need a major breakthrough in both of those technologies for all electric vehicles to succeed.

[68Charger]

The whole design of Electric traction motors with a generator power plant has one big disadvantage that some have mentioned here... but I think it's the #1 problem with a consumer grade pickukp attempting to implement: WEIGHT
more weight means less payload, worse efficiency, more wear and tear on suspension components, tires, brakes (Trucks cannot brake by regen alone), heavier suspension means ride quality suffers, regulations on vehicle class GWR, etc...

The design works well with locomotives, they have low friction steel wheels and are frequently pulling over 10,000 Tons... and you need weight for traction on the locomotive.
Big ocean vessels are carrying very heavy loads as well, so weight is less of a factor...

For any vehicle that someone with a class D driver's license (non commercial) is going to handle, and weight is something you're going to be fighting against...

And the biggest problem with all EV design is charging station distances... I guess if you never leave the city, you'll be fine... but considering how many times I drove our 2 trucks between Penrose, CO and Canton, TX to move here... ~800 miles, and a large section between S Colorado and Amarillo... ~235 mi between Tesla Superchargers, and almost 300 miles if your charging port isn't the same as Tesla's... A Pure EV truck would be 100% no-go on that route with a trailer.

[Duman]

Because they don't make long enough underwater rated extension cords?

Hahaha!!!

[brutal]

I'm not talking about any charging while towing, except for when braking. It'd just be like whatever is used in an electric vehicle, only simpler.



I think it'd really have a market on big rigs, in fact to the point that I'm surprised it's not a government requirement already. A big rig could even have a diesel generator I suppose. Retrofitting truck stops to incorporate charging stations seems reasonable. The re-charge under braking would be even more helpful for big rigs.

As for personally owned recreational trailers, I don't see how cost would be much of an issue. Those are pure luxury items to begin with and people spend incredible amounts on them to start with. The durability of trailers could increase and the extra weight wouldn't be as big of a deal with the electric assist. I'd think a possible limiting factor would be the total weight of the trailer for periods of no assist. If the trailer battery runs out, then you just tow like normal. However, I could see people buying stuff that is realistically too big for their tow vehicle, with the idea that they'll never run out of battery, then getting into trouble when they do. I wish I were in the position to capitalize on this idea. I'd start looking into this today if I was already a trailer manufacturer.

People already buy too much trailer for their TV (tow vehicle).

The larger luxo fifth wheels (Spacecraft, Continental, New Horizon, DRV) are already uber expensive and so long and heavy, most require a CDL and Tractor to pull.

[Irving]

So what's a few more pounds of weight and electrical complexity right?

[Wulf202]

Is the front trunk big enough for a honda e2000i and a gas can?

[Gman]

Is the front trunk big enough for a honda e2000i and a gas can?

Now you're getting into Top Gear's Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust (aka "Geoff") electric car territory. I think they used a diesel generator.