Nikola hydrogen electric semi trucks

[chuckChuck]

I am cheering Nikola Trucks on. If they succeed this will be a great achievement and move transportation and humanity forward. We should always be a little skeptical of any new inventions and claims. But since there already trucking companies lining up there must be something substantial behind Nikola's plans.

Oneof you are seem very negative about any technology that doesn't fit your way of thinking that we may be able to survive and prosper without fossil energy. I prefer to keep an open mind.

By the way Nikola plans to use solar energy to make hydrogen. They also plan to set up in Canada. Using hydrogen fuel cells has been one of the goals of engineers for decades.

Toyota already has a prototype of a hydrogen fuel cell electric car.

The hybrid electric Prius has been one of Toyota's most succesfull cars. The Prius gets incredible city mileage and they make great taxis because they are cheap to operate. Toyota has been a leader in hybrid electric and they will likely make a good fuel cell car as well.

Once that happens oil will become less important quickly.

Western Canada better continue to diversify our economy.

[oneoff]

Fill us in about how until very recently super B's and semi's, as you claimed, should not be an option to transporting grain ; and those who had them wrecked roads and should realize what negative effects they were causing.; and let us in on your experience about your new 1000 hp hydrogen truck(s). Maybe even tell us your delivery date; where the closest hydrogen fuel refilling stations are. Same with your anticipated connection to Sask Power and solar panels. Remember the rebate program is capped at 100% and Sask Power won't let their 20% contribution put you over the top. Of course;theoretically Sask Power could be collected first and money might be made milking every other handout later.

Meanwhile, at no taxpayers expense; I know project that has been running 10,000 near continuous hours; no begging done; nor intended in future. It'll stay at the testing phase until its fully proven; accepted by an electrical utility and only if Brad Wall can keep his act together and successfully fight for some major change to the additional tax.

If it can't stand on ts own merits it will fail without a whimper. It's costing 6 figures so far; is paid for; and contains lots of relatively new facets to be polished involving CNG; existing technology with flex fuels and year 2000 and up vehicles.
It may well get tied into Sask Power Small Power Producers program once this "carbon tax" horseshit gets clarified...but not until its clear that locking oneself into a 20 year contact will just result in a direct subsidy from a small power producer to Sask Power and the sector of its customers who feel entitled to live off the labors of those building this province and not just those with the ear of sympathetic marijuana promoters and "save the planet" zealots.

And changing topics; why is everyone so quiet about Federal Gov't task force on new marijuana rules.

Any restrictions on smoking in public etc. What indeed is this world coming to.....Somebody start a thread please. I'm against this initiative too; and predict there will be ddrug and society problems even worse than current


I'm against stupidity and destroying current proven technology before the replacement is ready and functional

Are we "ready yet"?? Prove it. If I want entertainment and Star Wars fascination; those very interesting articles have been written decades ago (and repeated and enlarged upon at intervals in between). Already seen that and enjoyed it; but in the real world; only what works long term and is sustainabl, practical and has most of the bugs worked out.

There has to be some net benefit somewhere or its a colossal failure and waste of money and resources.

[oneoff]

Facts are pretty thin when the references are only to prototypes....and planning to use solar panels to generate hydrogen and planning to have refueling stations in Canada.

And city cars that couldn't navigate a snow bank if it tried.

Not yet quite ready yet...not tomorrow and couldn't possibly do the complete job for at least a decade (or even decades if every star aligned perfectly).

We shouldn't allow one bit of still working necessary infrastructure to be destroyed or forced to shut down; before the replacement is available, working and proven.

[chuckChuck]

Technology for the oil sands was also developed by governments. There have been tax incentives and reduced royalties to encourage development. It is well know fact that the oil and gas industry is also subsidized in several ways.

We have also tolerated an oil cartel called OPEC that controls supplies and drives up prices for consumers. Not to mention all the pollution and environmental damage that is not paid for by the oil industry. Plus all the military expenses used to secure mid east supplies.

So if you are going to argue for a level playing field for renewables you better acknowledge the full costs of the oil industry.

In no way I am advocating abandoning fossil energy untill we have workable reliable alternatives. But the transition has already started and it is the interest of humanity to move towards renewable forms of low cost cleaner energy.

Looking at or supporting alternatives and policies to encourage renewables is in the public interest.