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Old 09-21-2006, 06:05 PM
nitramjr nitramjr is offline
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Real Name: Ray Martin
Location: Boston (north suburbs)
Hybrids: 2005 & 2006 Ford Escape
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Default Re: What about Freight Hybrids, like a MACK truck?

I believe there has been Federal law for years banning engine idling over 5 minutes. I know for sure that Massachusetts law is 5 minutes max.

As for big truck hybrids, I doubt we'll see that anytime soon as the motor size required to push an 80,000 pound (legal limit for an 18 wheeler) truck and the batteries that would be required would probably be prohibitive. As for trucks idling all night for heat and a/c, that could be avoided in many cases like truck stops by having electric service at the parking area. Wouldn't do much for all the trucks parking by the side of the road though. In the cold weather the truckers don't like shutting down from fear the diesel won't start back up.

Quote:
And what about freight ships? Will we ever regulate those? It's notable that the smog problem of Los Angeles centers around the ports where large, unregulated polluting ships bring in what Americans consume from overseas.
I'd bet that a good portion of the pollution around a big port is more from all the trucks hostling container trailers around. Add to that all the locomotives with their diesel fumes. Shipping, despite the pollution created is one of the most efficient means of moving product - at least in fuel burned per ton-mile of product moved. Railroads are way up there too.

Individually our contribution isn't much but as hybrids catch on more, the savings in gas and pollution will definitely make an impace. IMO anyway.

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