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Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by ZeroGravitas on Sunday July 24, 2022 @09:57AM (#32213544)
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are in fact better than gasoline. A fact that I think often gets overlooked.

But note, they do actually have batteries, similar to ICE serial hybrids.

They key thing of course, is that building lots of batteries is not a 'problem', and it's lack of being a problem is exactly why BEVs are better than fuel-cell hydrogen cars for basically everything, except maybe long distance air transport.

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by cogman10 on Sunday July 24, 2022 @12:03PM (#32214726)
> why BEVs are better than fuel-cell hydrogen cars for basically everything, except maybe long distance air transport.

The place where BEVs have yet to prove themselves is when energy density is absolutely critical. Long distance transport of any sort (air, sea, train, semi) is really the next places for them.

Semi is a maybe at this point. Train MIGHT make sense, but, IMO it'll probably make the most sense as an energy capture/getting the train up to cruising speed aid rather than as the sole power source. Heck, for train, it'd make sense to instead electrify the rail system. Sea seems unreachable (Sails make more sense at this point which is sort of wild). Air, IDK, there are definitely projects to hit it, but I don't see a large commercial plane doing BEV. Perhaps for smaller regional hops it'll make sense.

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by ZeroGravitas on Sunday July 24, 2022 @02:04PM (#32216000)
It's mostly a matter of battery price, which is on a downward slope, meaning it's mostly a matter of time.

> Rapid battery cost declines accelerate the prospects of all-electric interregional container shipping

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-022-01065-y

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by _hypx on Sunday July 24, 2022 @10:02PM (#32219824)
It’s currently on an upward slope, due to shortages of raw materials and components.
Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by hattmall on Sunday July 24, 2022 @01:38PM (#32215735)
Why not electrify the road, at least highways, in part.
Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by kortex on Sunday July 24, 2022 @03:06PM (#32216568)
How? Rail at least provides a direct conductive path. Electrified highways would require inductive charging at 65mph (not feasible) or building overhead pantograph systems (expensive but at least vaguely tractable). Either requires specialized vehicles.

Europe could pull it off due to its density, but the stretches of American highway which would benefit the most from it, would be a huge challenge.

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by freemint on Sunday July 24, 2022 @07:44PM (#32218969)
You do not conduct your electricity over the rails you drive on. Even with trains it's overhead wires. The same principle has been demonstrated to work on (small parts of) the Autobahn. All it requires is a dedicated lane where trucks could tap into overhead wires.

https://youtu.be/UB298IXBvtU

https://youtu.be/m6x9Y5YElxk

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by bonestamp2 on Monday July 25, 2022 @04:32PM (#32230520)
Stellantis (Fiat Chrysler Peugeot) recently built a test track with inductive power for vehicles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFyJg6f9v84

Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by hattmall on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @12:42PM (#32240637)
Yeah, I don't know, but I was thinking like a strip in the middle and then maybe a metal tire under the middle of the car that contacts the strip. Obviously you wouldn't want it to electrocute you if stepped on and low voltage doesn't travel well so it would certainly require some innovation.
Re:Ford's answer to EV supply chain hell: Cheaper batteries by _hypx on Sunday July 24, 2022 @10:02PM (#32219819)
False. We will have to drastically increase mining to have enough BEVs for everyone. We will go with hydrogen cars instead simply because this is nuts and unsustainable.