A long whistle sounded, deafening. The train is speeding and the momentum is amazing. This is the epitome of modern transportation, but also a portrayal of scientific and technological strength.
Yes, we are looking at the battle between China and the United States over the construction of the railway. On the land of China, the glow flashes in the electric drive of China's high-speed rail; And in the vast land of the United States, the roar of the internal combustion engine continues.
Internal combustion and electric power, two very different power options, led to the collision of two powerful forces. This is not only a pure technical contest, but also a fierce game about the development concept.
Let's start with the most fundamental question: which is better or worse, the internal combustion engine or the electric drive?
Exceptional capabilities for electric drives
To answer this question, we have to admit the excellent performance of electric drives. China's high-speed rail is highly regarded thanks in large part to the electric drive system.
It is indisputable that the biggest advantage of electric drives is environmental protection. It does not rely on any fossil fuels, is powered entirely by clean energy, and has almost zero emissions. In today's context of serious environmental pollution and intensifying climate change, the value of the concept of green travel can be seen.
In terms of operational performance, the electric drive is also outstanding. With the powerful propulsion of electromagnetic forces, coupled with advanced control systems, high-speed trains can achieve extremely high travel speeds and timetable punctuality. What's more, the ride experience is smooth and comfortable, which has become the standard demand of contemporary people's means of transportation.
The electric drive has low energy consumption and is suitable for high-volume and high-density passenger transport modes. In the case of long-distance transportation, electric drives are particularly suitable. This is one of the reasons why China is vigorously promoting high-speed rail.
From the perspective of technological maturity, electric drives are still in the stage of continuous innovation and development. Although China has made breakthroughs in this field, its accumulated experience and technical reserves are still weak compared to internal combustion engines.
For example, in complex terrain environments, the climbing ability of electric drives is far inferior to that of internal combustion engines. In addition, the construction cost of supporting facilities such as traction power supply is also very high, which is one of the flaws of the electric drive system.
Although electric drives are better in terms of environmental protection and performance experience, they still need to be improved in terms of cost and adaptation to complex environments.
The internal combustion engine has a long history
In contrast, the internal combustion engine is an old powerhouse in the railway field. As the first country in the world to put into use internal combustion engine trains, the United States has a history of nearly 300 years of research and development and application of this power system.
To some extent, the history of railway development is a microcosm of the development of the internal combustion engine. With the advancement of the industrial revolution, the internal combustion engine technology has become more and more mature, bringing a new source of power to the railway and greatly improving the transportation efficiency.
Today, the internal combustion engine has accumulated rich experience in adaptability, power reserve, cost control and other aspects of complex environments, and has become a proven and mature technology.
For a country like the United States, which is a vast country with extremely long interstate transportation miles, the advantages of internal combustion motor vehicles are even more obvious. They are able to overcome many obstacles and adapt to a variety of complex terrains, making them the best choice for the main force of American railroads.
Especially on the freight side, the strong power reserve of internal combustion engine trains allows them to pull fully loaded vehicles to meet the capacity needs of the U.S. logistics industry. It can be said that the internal combustion engine has promoted the development of the American economy, and the two are complementary and inseparable.
There is also a natural connection between the internal combustion engine and the train. The power generated by the internal combustion engine generator can be transmitted directly to the wheels for driving purposes, and the system is relatively simple. Electric drives, on the other hand, require a huge power system to support them, making construction and maintenance more complex and cumbersome.
For the United States, with the world's largest internal combustion engine rail network already in place, the transition to electric drives is undoubtedly costly. The large amount of investment and infrastructure that exists will be completely renewed is the deep-seated reason why the United States insists on the internal combustion engine.
The reason why the United States is obsessed with internal combustion
As we have already seen, both internal combustion engines and electric drives have their own advantages and disadvantages in the field of rail transport. Why, then, did the United States stick to the internal combustion engine powertrain and not follow China's lead in switching to electric drives?
First, internal combustion engine technology has taken root and grown in the United States, and has accumulated a deep technical foundation. Due to its long history, the internal combustion engine system has given birth to a large number of professionals and supporting facilities, which is a valuable asset.
Second, the United States is a vast country with complex and varied terrain in different regions, and the adaptability of the internal combustion engine can meet this demand. What's more, the internal combustion engine is inherently suitable for large-scale freight, and the freight industry is an important part of the lifeblood of the U.S. economy.
Third, cost control is an important reason why the United States has always adhered to the internal combustion engine. The investment and operating costs of internal combustion engine systems are much lower than those of electric drives, and the transition is undoubtedly costly for a country that requires a lot of miles, such as the United States.
The most fundamental reason why the United States has been stagnant is that it has already invested a lot of money, manpower and material resources in internal combustion engine railways, and built a complex rail network, locomotive maintenance facilities and other infrastructure. To fully transform, these existing facilities and investments would have to be extensively renovated, which is astronomical in difficulty and cost.
It's like giving someone who has already walked the path of a glacier to get back to the beginning and start all over again. The price to be paid is enormous, and the U.S. government cannot afford such a transition.
It can be said that the United States' insistence on the internal combustion engine is not due to stubbornness, but based on realistic considerations of its own situation and development history. Such a choice is in the best interests of the United States.
High-speed rail: China leads the way in green travel
In contrast, China's high-speed rail has chosen a completely different development path from that of the United States. As a new means of transportation representing the future, high-speed rail embodies China's pursuit of green environmental protection and sustainable development.
Electric drive has enabled China's high-speed rail to achieve zero emissions, which is not only conducive to alleviating the growing air pollution problem in the mainland, but also an important step in tackling the global challenge of climate change. From this perspective, China's high-speed rail can be described as a model of green travel.
The high speed and efficiency of high-speed rail can greatly reduce the time cost of people's travel. At the same time, the high-volume mode can reduce traffic congestion and reduce the energy consumption of the entire transportation system. It can be said that the rapid development of China's high-speed rail is in line with the new expectations of the people for a high-quality life.
China's high-speed rail represents a new development concept that is closely driven by innovation. From lightweight materials, intelligent systems to the application of maglev technology, all of them reflect China's determination to constantly break through itself and climb the peak of science and technology.
It is with this innovative concept that China's high-speed rail has become one of the world's most advanced in just a few decades, making China a veritable emerging railway technology powerhouse. This will undoubtedly inject new impetus into the overall upgrading of China's industry.
The process is far from over, and innovation never ends. In the future, black technologies such as superconducting maglev trains, intelligent driving, and unattended throughout the whole process are expected to show their skills in the field of high-speed rail, painting a new picture of scientific and technological transportation for mankind.
From a strategic point of view, China's high-speed rail is not only a specific transportation project, but also a conceptual project with rich connotations. It will guide mankind into a new era of travel and push human civilization to a new stage of development.
This concept of development, which transcends the times, is destined to have a far-reaching impact on the world. In the face of the achievements of high-speed rail development and the general trend of promotion, internal combustion engine trains, the former industry hegemon, will have to bow their heads and eventually be replaced. At that time, mankind will fully enter a new era of green transportation driven by electricity.