China abandoning diesel trucks in favor of electric models

[2muchcoffeeman]

In which we as Americans need to start catching up.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — China is replacing its diesel trucks with electric models faster than expected, potentially reshaping global fuel demand and the future of heavy transport.

In 2020, nearly all new trucks in China ran on diesel. By the first half of 2025, battery-powered trucks accounted for 22% of new heavy truck sales, up from 9.2% in the same period in 2024, according to Commercial Vehicle World, a Beijing-based trucking data provider. The British research firm BMI forecasts electric trucks will reach nearly 46% of new sales this year and 60% next year.​

Probably driven both by resource expense and by the pollution in large Chinese cities.

China's diesel trucks are shifting to electric. That could change global LNG and diesel demand

 

[FileNotFound]

There is absolutely no reason — other than defense of fossil fuels — that the entire fleet of local trucks in the US isn’t electric. It’s a clearly superior mode for the way short-haul trucks are used in every way.

 

[sgreenwell]

China produces 80% of the world's solar panels, and I imagine there is less obstruction when it comes to pumping $$$ into solar and wind expansion. So, I'd think they'd want as many electric vehicles as possible and having everyone hooking into the grid, vs. having to pursue diesel and gasoline supplies.

 

[Justin_Rice]

Eliminating our dependence on oil is the only true energy independence.

 

[SixToe]

But, but, but … we’ve been told repeatedly that ‘lectric trucks can’t haul heavy stuff or make long routes or hold up over time or or or or

 

[No. 2]

My kids school bus is electric. But less than 10 percent of the school's fleet is and people bitched and moaned about it being a wasteful expenditure.

 

[Here me roar]

People who b**** about EVs, have never been in one.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

We can't be wasting electricity on vehicles when it's needed for AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations!

 

[I Should Coco]

We can't be wasting electricity on vehicles when it's needed for AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations!

I’ve been told the data center storing the SJ.com threads and posts is located less than 15 minutes from Tahoe.

 

[sgreenwell]

My kids school bus is electric. But less than 10 percent of the school's fleet is and people bitched and moaned about it being a wasteful expenditure.

School buses should absolutely be electric, just like postal vehicles. They sit dormant for 12+ hours every day. That doesn't necessarily mean you want EVERY public service vehicle to be electric - Houston has had complaining because they decided to do it for ambulances, for some reason, which could theoretically be used 24 hours a day. You have to account for 1 to 3 hour charge times and buy more vehicles if you don't have natural down time.

Houston firefighters say eco-friendly ambulances can’t keep up with city’s pace

 

[dixiehack]

Arguably they need extra ambulance capacity even if they were running on dead dinosaurs. If you are hot seating vehicles you are ensuring a replacement will be needed much more quickly and that a couple of breakdowns can send the whole system into chaos.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

One thing about electric trucks that is an advantage over dead dinosaur trucks is that full torque is instantaneous, so they can go from a full stop to speed much faster. Fewer instances of getting stuck behind a slowpoke while the driver grinds the gears.

 

[Pickleballgolds]

I’ll probably be dead when it happens, but I believe in another 25 years there won’t be a need for a 7-11 on every corner selling gas. It’s only a matter of time before we solve all the issues about charging times, range capacity, etc.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

New York City has been using battery-electric buses for beer delivery for five years. The technology isn't new, but it's yet to scale up.

 

[Slacker]

I’ve been told the data center storing the SJ.com threads
and posts is located less than 15 minutes from Tahoe.

So is Alpha Centauri. ... You new here or what?

 

[maumann2]

I test drove an Alpha Centauri once. Couldn't even get 10 light years to the gallon.

 

[Batman]

I’ll probably be dead when it happens, but I believe in another 25 years there won’t be a need for a 7-11 on every corner selling gas. It’s only a matter of time before we solve all the issues about charging times, range capacity, etc.

I think range is starting to get there, but charging times are not. When you can spend five minutes gassing up, or 45 minutes (minimum) charging up, that's not really a debate. Maybe that improves over the next 10-20 years. I bought my current car in 2021 and thought it might be the last gas-powered car I'd buy because by 2030 all that would be available would be electric. I don't think that's the case now.

 

[Here me roar]

I find the hand wringing over charging times to be somewhat out of touch. Yes if I go charge and I'm going to 100% it will take about 41 minutes. But if I want to bring it up to the 80s, plug it in, go in Dunkin donuts. I get a drink. Maybe I get something to eat. Maybe I don't. I walk back to the car, it's only another 7 to 8 minutes before it's up to the 80s. If I'm driving long distance I'm stopping anyway these the restroom and stuff like that. I don't think the charging issue as is is as bad as people say. If I'm just driving around town for the week that will be enough charge. And it only cost me about 13 bucks.

 

[Batman]

I find the hand wringing over charging times to be somewhat out of touch. Yes if I go charge and I'm going to 100% it will take about 41 minutes. But if I want to bring it up to the 80s, plug it in, go in Dunkin donuts. I get a drink. Maybe I get something to eat. Maybe I don't. I walk back to the car, it's only another 7 to 8 minutes before it's up to the 80s. If I'm driving long distance I'm stopping anyway these the restroom and stuff like that. I don't think the charging issue as is is as bad as people say. If I'm just driving around town for the week that will be enough charge. And it only cost me about 13 bucks.

I always think of it in terms of the annoyance factor.
You didn't get gas last night because it was late, and now you're running late for work. You can still stop and fill up in a few minutes at one of a dozen gas stations along your route. If you have to charge, it's probably a lot longer than that and you need to seek out the charging station (and hope it's in good working order, which seems to be another frequent complaint).
It's just a comfort level most of us currently have. Again, in 10 or 20 years there might be a radically different mindset than there is now.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I always think of it in terms of the annoyance factor.
You didn't get gas last night because it was late, and now you're running late for work. You can still stop and fill up in a few minutes at one of a dozen gas stations along your route. If you have to charge, it's probably a lot longer than that and you need to seek out the charging station (and hope it's in good working order, which seems to be another frequent complaint).
It's just a comfort level most of us currently have. Again, in 10 or 20 years there might be a radically different mindset than there is now.

Stop that.

You charge overnight at the house, just like you do every night. You go out in the morning to drive to work, you're all charged up and ready to go.