Live data from Hacker News

Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

youtube.com

11–20 of 69 posts

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#11

I'm not buying this at all. People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be), can you imagine the hazmat situation from a couple of cars carrying who knows how many KG of Anhydrous Ammonia crashing into each other? I mean, you might make the fuel tanks extremely robust (and heavy) but fuel lines etc will still break. Ammonia in the air at 300 PPM will…

> People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be) Looking like quite a problem over in Luton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67073...

Now imagine when a large earthquake hits a place like San Francisco.

Most of the damage from the 1906 quake was caused by fire.

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#14

I'm not buying this at all. People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be), can you imagine the hazmat situation from a couple of cars carrying who knows how many KG of Anhydrous Ammonia crashing into each other? I mean, you might make the fuel tanks extremely robust (and heavy) but fuel lines etc will still break. Ammonia in the air at 300 PPM will…

> People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be) Looking like quite a problem over in Luton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67073...

I fail to see anything related to EVs in that article.

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#15

I'm not buying this at all. People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be), can you imagine the hazmat situation from a couple of cars carrying who knows how many KG of Anhydrous Ammonia crashing into each other? I mean, you might make the fuel tanks extremely robust (and heavy) but fuel lines etc will still break. Ammonia in the air at 300 PPM will…

Where did they even come up with the idea to use anhydrous ammonia as a fuel? Did some tired engineer suggest it as a jest at the tail end of an exhausting meeting and, to their horror, it was moved forward? This reminds me of rocket scientists trying out ever nastier and deadlier chemicals in the early days of space exploration.

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#17
Toyota is so weird about their EV stance.

What I particularly like about EVs is their low maintenance. You remove many components that are required with ICE. Regenerative braking makes your brake pads last a crazy amount longer. And now with this ammonia engine we are adding even more components to the vehicle? No thanks. Not to even mention the fuel distribution problem.

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#18
post #2

Sure, its carbon free, but NOx (NO, NO2, N2O etc) are really terrible greeenhouse gases and one of the main causes of smog. Catalytic convertors are there just to address this and try to mitigate the problem since all fuel contains a small amount of nitrogen compounds. Let's hope they don't replace one GHG with another.

I think it's a closed system, fuel cell, no?

Better really hope it is closed. Ammonia is no fun. Imagine the stink and effect of tear gas, plus eating your tissues, plus eating through metals and concrete when splashed. Oh, and if you think "well, i've got some ammonia cleaner somewhere, it isn't too bad". Well, that is the dilute watery kind, anhydrous ammonia is much much worse.

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> People freak out about EV battery fires now (never mind that this is not actually the problem it is made out to be) Looking like quite a problem over in Luton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67073...

Now imagine when a large earthquake hits a place like San Francisco. Most of the damage from the 1906 quake was caused by fire.

So what was on fire in 1906? Presumably cars were not nearly as widespread. Has anything relevant changed since then?

Re: Toyota CEO: "Our ammonia engine is the end of EV's" [video]

#20

Toyota is so weird about their EV stance. What I particularly like about EVs is their low maintenance. You remove many components that are required with ICE. Regenerative braking makes your brake pads last a crazy amount longer. And now with this ammonia engine we are adding even more components to the vehicle? No thanks. Not to even mention the fuel distribution problem.

You like "low maintenance". Car companies don't. A significant part of their business is tied to replacement parts and their chains of brand dealerships and brand workshops. With EVs, that whole gravy train might end, or at least loose a lot.
Post reply on HN