this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2025
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...as a makeshift barricade when it inevitably runs out of juice. Perhaps as an explosive trap. You could strip it for parts and resources. But for transportation? Fuck no. A vehicle is only as reliable as its source of fuel. Keeping the electric grid alive would be impossible in a fallen society.
If you want reliable mobility in a zombie apocalypse, get on a bike.
"Alright, listen up folks. We've finally managed to wall off the area against creepers, and we finally got the old generator working. However, electricity will still be restricted until further notice, because Jerry needs the full output to recharge his Cybertruck™ to avoid battery damage."
I'd say with the abundance of solar panels today, charging EV's wouldn't be that problematic. Gasoline would be hard to get. Bio diesel would be a good alternative but im not sure new vehicles would play nice with it so like pre 2000s diesels would be good. Wood gas is an option but again, would it work on modern cars? EV's seem the easiest to fuel to me in a complete apocalypse. Thoughts?
Yeah I was in a scenario some months back where people didn't have access to electricity or gasoline for nearly a week. Some didn't have access to drinking water. It was mildly apocalyptic. I had never seen anything like that and it was a bit stressful having to work but also not knowing if I'd eventually run out of gas before I would have access to it again. Felt like a mini-apocalypse.
Clouds.
Without the power grid to back them up, solar panels are only as reliable as the weather. A week of overcast skies will drain everything you have in your batteries. No output during the night either. There's also the problem of theft, vandalism, natural wear, and the difficulty of finding replacement parts.
If you have solar energy and a way to store it, it should be used for more vital applications, like lights, cooking, and refrigeration.
And how much gasoline are you refining in your backyard on those cloudy days?
I don't understand, please show me which part of this bike needs gasoline to function.
I don't know a lot about solar panels, but wouldn't they output at least some power with clouds? Like you still get some sunlight through the clouds, wouldn't the panels be able to use it?
Some, but the output drops significantly. Solar panels like direct sunlight. Even a thin cloud layer can reduce the output just by both blocking and diffusing sunlight.
(The graphs are just for illustration, I have no context for them)
A car-sized EV's convenience is wasteful when energy is scarce and other options are available.
Seems like e-bike with foldable solar panels would be the best? Because even when there's no sunlight, you just have a bit heavier bike, but when there is some, you'd go faster.
Or an ebike and get some foldable solar panels and a second battery.
Somehow, they always manage to have some source of power in those movies.
Zombie flicks are not exactly known for their strict adherence to realism. Residential power would likely be the first to go, if only to reserve generator capacity and fuel for military, medical, and government facilities, and rich assholes' mansions.
Maintaining the electric grid takes an incredible amount of work and the tight cooperation of all of its facilities. If one or several large generator were to shut down, it might cause a cascading collapse. Executing a black start is a massive challenge at the best of times, and probably impossible in a post-collapse society.
Additionally gasoline degrades after some time and would be mostly useless after 4-5 years without substantial additives and work to bring it back into shape.
I believe kerosine can last up to 10yrs
Not useless, but it can go bad much quicker. A few years ago I lost a rotary hoe because the engine had been damaged and the carburetor had gotten clogged. The fuel was less than a year old, but closer in color to cooking oil.
If gasoline sits in open air or a non-sealed container for a long time, its lighter fractions will eventually evaporate. The heavier fractions can cause blockages and misfires. It can still be used, but you have to dilute it with fresh gasoline. If it happens while inside an engine, the carburetor should be rinsed with fresh gasoline to remove clogs.