The first generation of an exchange program wouldn't necessarily have to be "quick change" - perhaps it could be installed under the trunk like a crank-down spare tire and plugged into a port. A common port spec could be defined in relatively short order, and it wouldn't take a whole lot of infrastructure to begin such a program if only major highways were serviced at the beginnng. Even if multiple ports were defined by various manufacturers, adapters wouldn't necessarily have to be all that complex.
The EV1 was a no compromise exercise to achieve the most range using existing battery technology. There was a lot of compromise that is not commercially viable in todays market.
There have been several concepts of quick change battery pack architecture for vehicles. The last I saw was a Japanese system that used a drive through type stall that contained a robotic power pack changing system. In todays competitive society, it would take decades to develop a standard power pack interface to make wide spread use of the quick change battery system.
I am a firm believer in creativity and innovation being the answer to many of the issues that face society today. Many times the answer to a problem isn't immediately recognized. Realistic expectations and honest, truthful discussion is the way to promote creativity and innovation. Representing current EV's as the ideal mode of transportation for everyone does more harm than good.
@jhess. Awesome comment. It is like comparing electronic high power dimmer with a huge crank wire dimmer used in many old theaters.EV is a whole new concept and is not really understood.People should ask how UPS ,FeDex and Utility companies do it that they use electric trucks. It is such an easy concept for you and I , but most people do not understand it and their glass is always half empty.
The perceptions and expectations of what a car should be evolved with the internal combustion power source. This creates another hurdle that a practical EV must overcome. Without that historical perception, people might be more willing to accept a 40 mile range vehicle.
I can appreciate that electricity is currently little cleaner than burning coal or gas, but I like that it's a platform that can accommodate numerous and future power generating technologies.
I'd probably be more inclined to buy an electric vehicle if it didn't have to stay in the garage when I want to make the 2-hour drive for the family to see my mother in a 6-hour window.
I'm curious as to whether or not EV's are being made that will readily accept add-on power packs for those occasional long drives where enroute charging is not an option. Perhaps such power packs could be left at charging stations to charge so they could be picked up on the return trip with a greater charge. Maybe there could be some kind of interchangeability standard so people on the program could exchange their discharged power packs for full ones along the way.
@Kevin. This is one of misconceptions about a cost of energy. That's where supply and demand comes in. At night energy utility companies will gladly cut a price of energy for charging your car in half. I actually called a few and they confirmed it.The reason is that most of us use minimum energy at night , but plants are still running.None of that energy is saved , or stored in any way. We do it in US with a little bit of grid switching to states that are in a different time zone , but this is nothing comparing to a bunch of cars plugged in a actually USING that energy.So, the cars are using this "surplus" energy and there is NO pollution from EV.Sorry to rain on your parade , but people should do a complete research , not repeat what someone has written a few years ago in New York Times.
Just a mention of an artillery shell, out in public would send the media into paroxyms of rhetoric. That are single use devices designed to be very safe and unresponsive to all but a very specific sequence of events. Imagine how the various corporate 'Risk Mangers" and "Liability Insureres" respond to the energy stored value in an automotive battery pack designed to be portable, constantly reused and out in the general public. Oh yes, and built by the least expensive process, and the lowest denominator labor pool. Batteries are desinged to have unstable chemistry, that's how they work. Conspiracy.. Perhaps corporate risk placed in terms of the local currancy and risk of litigation.
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