With the increase in emissions regulations, do y’all think gas powered semis will make a comeback?
Posted by Boeing-B-47stratojet@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 27 comments
We had a Ih R220 much like this as a farm truck, had a hall Scott big 6 in it(I think it was a 6182 model engine), it got 1-3 mpg.
Pulled our loads of tobacco fine.
Tart-Resident@reddit
EPA is supposed to be rolling back the diesel emissions back to 2004 era. They doing away with def. I seen something on the new ford, gm and ram engines coming out in 2027 with no def. Redesigned engines that pretty cool.
Medium-Big-4143@reddit
Not going to happen. Would be nice to be able to buy simpler and cheaper diesel vehicles but that’s a pipe dream for class 8 commercial truck.
Cummins has released their 2027 X15 plans already, and it still has a DPF, DEF and some new bits including a 48v generator to pre-heat the after treatment.
Cummins website FAQ
Tart-Resident@reddit
That’s why I’m keeping my ‘93 Pete w/N14 and my superliner Mack E7. And old iron heavy equipment. That’s until they quit making parts.
anxious_polarbear@reddit
And the next administration will just reinstate the rules. A manufacturer would be foolish to do away with today's emissions rules.
0263111771@reddit
I am amazed there is not a hybrid diesel electric out yet. Or a electric assist motor for hills and accelerating from a stop.
anxious_polarbear@reddit
There is. Look up Edison Motors.
0263111771@reddit
Holy God!!! Those Torque numbers!!!! This truck will pull a cruise ship!
anxious_polarbear@reddit
They have a video of a Toyota land cruiser they built, it pulled a loaded 80,000 semi, broke the tow strap.
0263111771@reddit
Looks like the Canadian Gov is giving them a hard time.
0263111771@reddit
Thank you, I will check that out.
anxious_polarbear@reddit
Series hybrids are the way to go. Solves every truck drivetrain issue, uses half as much fuel.
homucifer666@reddit
1-3mpg is abysmal fuel economy. At my worst, I'm getting low 7s and average around mid 9s to low 10s.
Because of the way gasoline ignites, you can only make that cylinder so big before the flame front can't reach the fuel in time and it just gets wasted. That's why gas engines don't get above 7-8 litres. Fine for medium duty trucks, not reasonable for heavy duty like semis.
Alarming-Inspector86@reddit
I agree with you but multiple spark plugs in a cylinder can help solve the problem of large displacement engine. It's just counter productive at commercial scale due to adding more things to go wrong.
homucifer666@reddit
That introduces new problems, like even a microsecond of delay between ignition sources creating competing flame fronts.
Boeing-B-47stratojet@reddit (OP)
How did the big international and hall Scott engines work then? I am not trying to be a smart Alec, I am genuinely asking. They were anywhere from 10 liters on the low end up to around 20 liters.
homucifer666@reddit
It's technically possible, just incredibly inefficient; hence the 1-3mpg. Diesel scales up way better than petrol.
There's a lot of scientific debate on what the ideal bore to stroke ratio is, but current data suggests a bore of around 85mm with a stroke about 90mm.
Again, you'll see cars like the Porsche 911 and Dodge Viper with wider bores and trucks like the Toyota Tundra with longer strokes, but these vehicles aren't exactly known for peak efficiency.
Once you get to medium duty size, gasoline makes less and less sense. Nobody wants to pay for gratuitous unburnt fuel going out the tailpipe for no benefit.
Independent-Fun8926@reddit
My fingers are crossed for diesel-electric drivetrains, just like the railroaders.
Wicell@reddit
Edison Motors is making good headway in that department. But for it to make sense economically weight limitations would need to be increased, or battery tech needs to be improved for higher capacity at lower weight. Doesn't matter how efficient it is if your maximum load capacity is decreased. A daycab Edison is ~19k pounds. That's slightly heavier than your standard Freightshaker sleeper
FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit
Currently the fully electric walmart daycab Cascadias sit at around 22klbs, and they have a 2500lb exemption iirc.
FloatingScooter@reddit
This cab is such a perfect home on the road, love all the little personal touches that make it yours. Safe travels out there!
navlgazer9@reddit
No but the older trucks that don’t have the emissions garbage on them are getting more valuable by the minute
The company my nephew works for has a fleet of well maintained pre emission trucks and refuses to buy new trucks because the new ones are not reliable like the old ones are .
Newest one they have in the fleet is a 2004 I think
RevolutionaryDebt365@reddit
UHaul just bought a bunch of Cummins Octane, gasoline powered trucks...
BouncingSphinx@reddit
U-Haul hasn't had diesel vehicles in many years. Too much liability from having the regular person who doesn't realize, pay attention, or know that it takes diesel fill up a diesel vehicle with gas.
BouncingSphinx@reddit
Diesel is more efficient at making power for a similarly sized engine than gas, and it is able to make a lot more torque. They're also able to do this at much lower rpm than a gas engine.
deezkeys098@reddit
Realistically across the USA where could you fit a gas powered semi truck to fill up?
stephenlong202@reddit
No never. It's too inefficient. Gas doesn't produce enough power for 80,000 vehicles. The only way it could is if it was electric drive with a gas generator but even then diesel is more efficient, cost and power wise.
Ok_Weekend6350@reddit
No
burns to hot and the RPMs are too high
meaning much much shorter life