The momentum toward replacing gas-powered vehicles on the road with electric vehicles is undeniably strong, as more and more manufacturers are throwing their hats in the ring. From BMW to GM, the expansion of electric vehicles on the market is set to see a record number of commercially available 100% pure battery electric vehicles as early as 2024. However, progress has not stopped there.
Diesel-powered vehicles have also become the subject of testing for viability as electric-powered vehicles. New Legend Inc., and several other companies, are opting to switch to all-electric fleets using Freightliner eCascadia trucks, hoping to fully make the switch by 2023. Even school buses are being converted to electricity and have seen implementation in places like Alexandria, Virginia. Popular statistics say replacing one diesel bus with electricity is comparable to removing 5.2 cars from the road. With this push for sustainability and cleaner emissions, is the replacement of diesel on the horizon? In one of our previous articles, we discussed the growing energy crisis erupting overseas, and how electricity produced by renewable energy such as hydropower has been affected by negative climate changes. This has caused an uptick in diesel-powered generators and other alternative methods of energy production to be used to meet the demand for electricity. This is just one of several reasons that the full replacement of diesel-powered vehicles is in a much more distant future than it seems. 1. The Problem With Clean Energy As mentioned before, sourcing electricity is becoming a growing problem overseas. Factories in China have shifted their working hours to meet the shortage, negatively impacting their productivity. With the huge demand for coal to power their generators, and logistical issues halting the transportation of coal, this has rippled into several other countries. Even countries that have made big strides in utilizing renewable energy, such as Britain, are suffering due to climate change. What has this resulted in? A return to gasoline and diesel-powered generators. Climate change is showing no signs of slowing, and the adaptation needed to meet these changes is going to create long-term issues in the renewable energy sector. Diesel, however, is not impeded by these changes. 2. Recharge Times Are Unsustainable The average diesel truck can go 1000 to 1500 miles without needing to refuel. In comparison, the largest battery in a commercial vehicle – the Tesla tractor – can only travel 500 miles before needing to recharge. That’s a huge difference when you factor in recharge times, which take hours compared to only a few minutes spent refueling a traditional diesel vehicle. Not only can it be impossible to find charging stations in many parts of rural America, where diesel vehicles often find themselves during travel, but it can be near impossible to match the efficiency of diesel-powered logistics. The supply chain is already feeling negative effects from a worldwide driver shortage that we will be covering in another article, and that will only be exacerbated by vehicles that require hours to get back on the road. Our economy relies heavily on fast transportation, and to implement electric 18-wheelers on a large scale is, for now, completely unfeasible. Will manufacturers adapt and create larger batteries to effectively power diesel vehicles? The short answer is no. The long answer is that the weight of the battery needed to match the energy output of 200 gallons of diesel fuel outweighs the fuel by over 10,000 pounds. For a vehicle to carry that much weight, it would have to be built much differently than the average 18-wheeler and would reduce its overall load capacity. 3. Potential Lithium Shortage Speaking of batteries, it is important to address the growing concern for electric-powered vehicles, as well as many other technologies: the shortage of lithium. Currently, there are only so many lithium mines across the globe, and the projected need for lithium is quickly outgrowing its capacity. It is projected by 2027 that there will be a lithium shortage without significant investments in new mining sectors. In fact, Tesla has already issued a delay in their Tesla trucks due to the projected shortage. This could be remedied by a push toward investing in lithium, which may very well grow in importance due to the environmental regulations being put forward by a host of countries and states – which incentivize electric-powered vehicles. However, as of right now, the lithium shortage looms in the near future and creates a large stepping stone from transitioning to fully electric fleets and machines. 4. The Importance of Agriculture This is a topic that we will cover in a later article, but one thing stands true about the diesel industry: it powers almost 100% of agricultural production in the US. Over two-thirds of agricultural vehicles are diesel-powered. The vast majority of transportation vehicles used to move agricultural goods are diesel, including marine transporters. While agricultural vehicles are slowly making the switch to alternative energy sources, such as biofuels and solar power, the incorporation of electric-powered machines has yet to be developed. This is perhaps the biggest roadblock to seeing a complete transition toward electric vehicles from diesel. Farming is crucial for a host of industries, from food to textiles, and keeping vehicles efficient is a key priority. Currently, the most efficient fuel source is diesel – there is no cost-effective solution that matches its power, performance, and reliability. With projected growth in global food production needing to be at 60% before 2050, it is an understatement to say that efficiency exceeds any desire to push toward electric-powered vehicles. The push toward clean energy is something that will only grow over the next decade, but to project that it will greatly impact the diesel industry is something that has yet to be solidified. The reliance on diesel for efficient logistics and the underdeveloped technology in the EV sector combine to create an environment where fully transitioning to electric vehicles is a lofty goal. Here at HHP, we’re committed to being the diesel experts you need – in the past, present, and future. Tune in to our blog for the latest tips, tricks, informative articles, and news, and keep an eye out for updates on all of our social media platforms. From diagnosis to delivery, we’re Highway and Heavy Parts!
