There are applications, particularly in certain modes of transporation, in which electrification is difficult. Batteries are heavy and large. Extension cords can only be made so long.
Even in a world in which heavier-than-air flight is sharply curtailed, there's still an exeptionally strong case to be made for marine transport as the most efficient mode huamns have ever developed, in moving mass a given distance with a given energy input (ton-miles/gallon or tonne-km/litre as you prefer).
Large, long-distance, high-capacity aircraft will require some sort of liquid fuel. Hydrocarbons have high density by both volume and mass, are well-understood, are remarkably non-toxic and non-volatile (for fuels), and have excellent handling and storage characteristics.
Marine shipping has similar constraints. Wind might re-emerge as a partial contributor. Solar might aid in auxiliary electrical systems. But a big slow marine deisel or turbine remains a hugely efficient prime mover. Solid fuels (e.g., pelletised wood waste) is an option, but is still strongly inferior to liquid fuels.
Even for rail, electrification of heavy freight is a challenge, all the more so with elevation gain and loss, and when travelling far from infrastructure. Yes, much European freight rail is electrified, but it operates at a much smaller scale and through far more developed regions than US and Canadian railways. The need to electrify an entire route also poses challenges (though rail does somewhat lend itself to incremental enhancement).
Electric rocketry is a whole 'nother challenge. Very long extension cords, maybe? Is Musk working on those?
Even in a world in which heavier-than-air flight is sharply curtailed, there's still an exeptionally strong case to be made for marine transport as the most efficient mode huamns have ever developed, in moving mass a given distance with a given energy input (ton-miles/gallon or tonne-km/litre as you prefer).
Large, long-distance, high-capacity aircraft will require some sort of liquid fuel. Hydrocarbons have high density by both volume and mass, are well-understood, are remarkably non-toxic and non-volatile (for fuels), and have excellent handling and storage characteristics.
Marine shipping has similar constraints. Wind might re-emerge as a partial contributor. Solar might aid in auxiliary electrical systems. But a big slow marine deisel or turbine remains a hugely efficient prime mover. Solid fuels (e.g., pelletised wood waste) is an option, but is still strongly inferior to liquid fuels.
Even for rail, electrification of heavy freight is a challenge, all the more so with elevation gain and loss, and when travelling far from infrastructure. Yes, much European freight rail is electrified, but it operates at a much smaller scale and through far more developed regions than US and Canadian railways. The need to electrify an entire route also poses challenges (though rail does somewhat lend itself to incremental enhancement).
Electric rocketry is a whole 'nother challenge. Very long extension cords, maybe? Is Musk working on those?