Interesting perspective on the fixed charging vs. battery swap dichotomy:
How Two Billionaires Are Supercharging The Electric Car To Upend Big Oil - Forbes
How Two Billionaires Are Supercharging The Electric Car To Upend Big Oil - Forbes
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My concern about battery-swap is the scope for abuse. You get into a situation where there's a big incentive to abuse, damage or even steal from the battery you have, and then swap it for a fresh battery. Not many companies are willing to hand out equipment valued at $10k+ to someone without a detailed check when it returns. If a check does occur, how long does that check take?
The Model S does, apparently, allow for fast-swapping with highly specialized equipment. There's something like 26 bolts that lock the battery into place (no need to worry about thievery--anyone who tried to steal the battery would be flattened). And then there's all the connectors for power, coolant and controls.... So, while it's technically feasible, the article leaves the reader with the correct impression that it's not the route down which Tesla is going.This sentence in the Forbes piece caught my eye:
"Tesla designed the Model S to have a swappable battery and in the coming months will roll out a battery-switch option at its service stations, though the company declined to provide details on how it will work or the cost."
That's the first I've heard of a battery-switch option for the S, at least in the last couple of years: earlier on I remember Elon talking about battery switching, but not lately. Or did the author misconstrue a coming (and necessary) service capability for a full-on 'refueling' capability?
The Model S does, apparently, allow for fast-swapping with highly specialized equipment. There's something like 26 bolts that lock the battery into place (no need to worry about thievery--anyone who tried to steal the battery would be flattened). And then there's all the connectors for power, coolant and controls.... So, while it's technically feasible, the article leaves the reader with the correct impression that it's not the route down which Tesla is going.
This was discussed a while back over here: Battery Swapping/Rental for the Model S