The future cost of electric cars vs ICE cars

[flabby]

I found this interesting read over at the evworld website:

EVWORLD NEWSWIRE: The Future of Transportation - Part 2

I wasn't sure where to put it, so I just stuck it in the news section

[TEG]

It would be great if they actually make it happen.

So many hurdles though.

[Michael]

I still don't understand why it seems to be acceptable that it makes more sense for an infrastructure for exchanging batteries than it does for one where vehicles are recharged?

Seems to me that even ignoring the likelihood of people not wanting to give up a new battery to be replaced by an older one, that the mechanics, maintenance, and expense of setting up an exchange infrastructure would seem to be more costly and difficult to implement.

[TEG]

Why pack swaps ~could~ be a good idea:

#1: Possibly quicker than a recharge.
#2: If they tried to offer 10 minute recharge, the short term grid load could be substantial, requiring very beefy lines from the recharge spot to the grid.
#3: With pack swap you could "trickle charge" the empty packs at the swap station's leisure (even resorting to charging at night).
#4: They can test and replace packs that are wearing out. No need to worry about the lifetime of your pack if you are constantly swapping it out.

[domenick]

Why quick charge is a "better" idea:

#1) Possibly quicker than a swap.
#2) No encounters with "out of order" signs due to breakdown of complicated automation machinery or lack of battery supply.
#3) A large eesu (electrical energy storage unit) a la Altairnano could not only service many vehicles in a short period of time at high speed, it could also supply some amount of load leveling service to the utility to which it is connected.
#4) Manufactures can continue to innovate mobile eesu's (different chemistries, ultracapacitors) and their integration in different and surprising ways.

[Michael]

Thanks domenick.

I'm also thinking that unless the swapping infrastructure is run by a monopoly, like the one being planned for Israel, then it would be a less than desirable business to have to worry about getting reimbursement of battery packs which need repair or refurbishing. In this case it's probably more practical to have the individual be covered by their own specific warrenty and deal with replacements/repairs at their dealership.

[insndrvr]

To me the replaceable battery pack sounds more like a way for some company, like an oil company, wanting to insure that people are still paying them money to drive their cars. I don't think in this country that swappable battery packs will ever be the norm just because each EV company is going to have an idea for a battery design or size or placement which they think is best for their car. It's one thing to standardize the charge connection like the fuel filler opening on cars now, it's another thing entirely for every car out there to have the same format "gas tank."

Also for the general public who has no idea how big these batteries would be (at least for the next 10 years or more), telling them they can just swap them out seems reasonable.

Save the extra batteries for the charging stations to level off the grid demand, and let the EV companies put whatever battery they want in their cars.

[Iz]

Over time, battery packs may get standardized in a similar fashion to the ICE battery. While there are some differences in size and cold cranking amps, I've used batteries produced for smaller vehicles to start much larger ones. Some level of standardization would encourage competition and improve choices.

I'd be less inclined to opt for a battery swap unless it is from a reputable source. Not sure if one exists; but a device which tests each individual cell in a pack would go a long way to reassure those swapping their packs are getting a reliable one in return.

There will come a day where the news is filled with stories about swapping stations using less than efficient packs on unsuspecting customers.

[Cobos]

The impression I've gotten from the few PBP articles I've read is that the batteryswap idea is not intended as the main source of power but rather an alternative to the REEV option for longer ranges. Within cities you will use a standard PBP plug from a normal slow-charging outlet I guess. Swipe your PBP card and it starts recharging while you do your work or shopping or whatever.

If they do a swap solution for smaller packs which is PART of the bigger battery solution for the vehicle you get a bigger range with swaps as well as some choices for the producer for placement of batteries...

This would be my solutions anyway...

Cobos

[vfx]

"Over time, battery packs may get standardized in a similar fashion to the ICE battery."

Not so fast. Have you seen the vast arry of Auto batteries at your local Auto Parts store? Different sizes, weights, post positioning and sizes, amp hours, etc, etc.



Standards are great. That's why there are some many of 'em.