One other thing to consider, the US economy has always been capitalistic, i.e., investor controlled. If it can't make a profit in 3-6 years, do not consider it. Lately, the profit window has shrunk to 3-6 MONTHS! This ego-centric culture is a sure guarantee for self-destruction.
Diesels won out over electricity in the US because coal and fuel oil was abundant and cheap. Not so in Europe and Russia or China. You mention the high speed passenger lines in Europe and China. We have them too except ours go faster, about 555 mph. In the US people go by air not by train. In Russia if one were to travel from Moscow to Vladivostok via the Trans Siberian it would take about eight or more days (6 days if no stops)*. In the US only a train freak would invest that amount of time riding a train. *Depending on which sources one uses.
Siemens is producing a loco for passenger service which will run on Electric Overhead, 3rd rail or diesel. Amtrak will be getting quite a few of these. https://www.mobility.siemens.com/gl...ling-stock/locomotives/vectron/dual-mode.html
IMHO...EV's of any sort just suck. To many problems that i cant see ever overcoming. Like I said...JMO.
Agree. But they all must be charged, and windmills and solar panels ain't gonna do it by a long shot. I rest my case. However, my hybrid gets 43 MPG, which is a nice balance between the two worlds.
My Kia Niro gets about 53-55 mpg in the summer with the a/c on. In winter mpg goes down to the mid to high 40's. Need the gas engine to heat the water for the heater. I get better mileage in city versus highway driving as highway speeds need the gas engine but I still get about 49 mpg on the highway. All in all I like the car. Only drawback is limited cargo space with the rear seats up. But judging from news reports I've heard; the car manufacturers are turning to electric vehicles so they will be in our futures.
I would prefer a hybrid as I have had one long ago. But, now there's better storage, generators and controls. Of course the way they are being made gets overly expensive. Not haveing to plug them in is far better. I don't know why but in this cold weather my landlord runs his Suzuki for at least one hour a day. Then drives the other Honda gas only.
But isnt the plan to be 100% electric by 2035? That would mean no more gas power...not even Hybrids !
I agree, actually i have some old LIMAs that even if reproduce an electric locomotive, are so loud that actually sound more like a diesel. And more to the sort, i got the bachmann sound GG1 at rock bottom price (89$, less than the DC one that was @ 99$), with all the sounds, except the "motor". Maybe that is the reason for the price. Shall i put another sound decoder since the model's motor is quiet?
I only have a full electric vehicle but would like the sounds of a steam loco along with the whistle. The chugging should be hooked to the peddles but I can't do that anymore. Just push the throttle paddle. Gas cars will be around long after 2035. As well as Diesel Trains.
