Re:Tech Won’t Save Us. Shrinking Consumption Will
by mlyle on Wednesday December 29, 2021 @01:05AM
(#29722368)
> It's still a huge win to electrify rail.
Alternatively, just ignore rail for now. It's ridiculously efficient (about 3-4x the efficiency of truck freight). If you phase-in a tax on carbon, more freight will immediately shift from truck to rail because of this comparative advantage... and it will provide incentive for small energy wins on rail, too.
Later, after we shift more cargo away from trucks and remaining trucks become more efficient, we can worry about fully making rail carbon neutral.
(And even then-- can ignore batteries for awhile in favor of just electrification of high-traffic segments).
Alternatively, just ignore rail for now. It's ridiculously efficient (about 3-4x the efficiency of truck freight). If you phase-in a tax on carbon, more freight will immediately shift from truck to rail because of this comparative advantage... and it will provide incentive for small energy wins on rail, too.
Later, after we shift more cargo away from trucks and remaining trucks become more efficient, we can worry about fully making rail carbon neutral.
(And even then-- can ignore batteries for awhile in favor of just electrification of high-traffic segments).