Hrm. What I’m wondering is, how well would an all-electric vehicle compare to a diesel when it comes to heavy work tasks - i.e. plows, heavy load hauling, etc.?
Electric motors certainly can provide torque, but I question whether they could perform the same task continuously for as long as a comparable diesel. It seems to me an electric’s batteries are likely to be used up well before a diesel tank runs dry.
I also have to wonder about durability and maintenance costs. We’ve gotten pretty good with diesels these days. They start in the wintertime and the better engines are just about bulletproof with normal maintenance. I don’t know how good these electrics are, but I think it’s fair to ask how well an electric design will endure a Chicago winter compared to a diesel. I also think it’s fair to ask how much more $$$ a business owner will have to spend on maintaining said vehicle.
They do make hybrid electric transit buses, but they’re expensive and the advantages are minimal or dubious.
http://www.hybridcenter.org/hybrid-transit-buses.html