The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
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ASKO Puts Hydrogen Powered Fuel Cell Electric Scania Trucks on the Road.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norwegian-wholesaler-asko-puts-hydrogen-powered-fuel-cell-electric-scania-trucks-on-the-road-300989554.html
Meanwhile in the UK - Ocado have now switched away from diesel at their Hatfield depot to HGV's powered by natural gas - they have installed an onsite gas refuelling station.
Certainly a step in the right direction.
https://www.commercialfleet.org/news/truck-news/2019/01/08/ocado-opens-natural-gas-refuelling-station
Who is delivering fuelcells to these trucks?
No fuel cells - the aim here is to cut out diesel - this is technology that is available now - next step fuel cells powered by hydrogen.
https://www.iveco.com/uk/products/pages/gas-engine-stralis-natural-power-truck.aspx
Perhaps Elon Musk has changed his mind about "Fool Cells" and is going to supply them.
I think TESLA will at some point consider a Fuel Cell option, if they think theres a market. Theyve already got the best electric motor in an EV. The problem for TESLA and other EV producers is the number of public chargers available. THere would have to be a massive investment in roadside superchargers and the grid system behind them. The elephant in the room is HGVs. A major contributor to emissions and they do 10 mpg. There isnt really a technical solution to make those battery based vehicles.
Tesla confirms its electric Semi will go into production this year.... 0-60mph in 20 seconds with a 36+ metric tonne payload...
https://thedriven.io/2020/01/15/leak-tesla-confirms-its-electric-semi-will-go-into-production-this-year/
Im aware of these and I celebrate the attempt at making them but for the average shipping company operating on low margins - I dont think battery powered HGVs are a realistic option. Initial Cost and Range are massive issues but the kicker is the charger network. Current HGVs can go for 1000 miles. These battery powered beasts will have to stop and recharge en-route and require huge amounts of current. Local bin wagons and buses would be a better target market. At the moment the only realistic EV option for long haul HGV is Hydrogen.
Gl, yes both ev and h2 and combinations of both will exist together I think... The range question isn't significant now as it covers manditory rest breaks and sleep patterns, that's where the charging will occur for ev- Tesla semi has a range of 500 miles that's plenty and will improve over time no doubt.
Current HGVs carrying large amounts of diesel is mostly down to cost not range, cheaper to refuel at pre-agreed prices either end of the route than en route.
Nothing will stop the significance of H2 going forward.... so it's all a bit stange when people seem to feel under threat from ev, as seen on h2 forums with regular swipes at Elon Musk and other derogatory remarks about ev. Both make for a better world so all good in my view.
TM - I agree the pressure to adopt to EV will mean both batteries and Hydrogen will have a large slice of the future. There is another issue that isn't often touched on with recharging on motorways. If you ignore the Grid loading or even manage to address it - you've still got the problem of space - how do you squeeze 1000 wagons onto south mimms services for a 3 hour recharge
@Greylady, before I comment, just to let you know I am pro-hydrogen.
Technology is getting better all the time. You can usually charge to 80% in 20% of the time it takes to charge the whole battery, so in a few years it will be pretty normal for people to stop for ~20-30 mins, grab a coffee and go. The real attraction with H2 are trains/buses/lorries/emergency services vehicles/boats IMHO. That being said, ITM specifically is really hard to value. Lot's of potential for orders here, but lots to do and to prove.
This will explode when they start expanding from their own profits (like ABDP did). But there has been a lot of increase in the last 4 months. Would be happy to see this settle at the ~95-100p level and hold there until positive news. With the factory only at the first stages of being kitted out, people need to be prepared to hold for a good year or 2 at least.
Gl - agree will be challenging, parking with any facilities for wagons woefully inadequate in the UK, Boris will need to pull his finger out.
As sb1987 rightly says, habits will need to change, I know the 80% 20% charging v well myself, although I'm mostly charging at home or at destination. I suppose the average fleet hgv does 300 - 400 miles a day ?...could be done on a single charge from base or a top up at lunch time, perhaps fuelcell charging in larger layby's.. including collected rubbish bins hopefully :~)
Two drivers, one rests while the other drives.... but with a long charge required the whole thing begins to not work.
The way Tesla gets over the slow charge on his cars is to build in enough battery that the cells can afford to be damaged and not lose too much overall capacity. That is not an option on a rig as the weight just goes through the roof. So Tesla will want to focus on shorter distances or customers who can afford to pay more rather than low cost long-distance projects.
I was quite keen to buy a Tesla last year but I was also approached around the same time to do some work in Birkenhead. I was amazed on looking at the charger map that there were no chargers nearby. Sort of put an end to my Tesla dream.
Grey lady ... same old problem ..... lack of infrastructure in the North. Quite a few hybrids running around on the Wirral but owners have installed home charging helped by the subsidies available. Not likely to see Tesla in numbers coming to Birkenhead anytime soon. Far too expensive for the locals.