Richardo Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) I assume everyone on the forum shares my general love of electric vehicles, and the idea that your choice in a vehicle is determined by the trade-offs that best fit your situation. I had never really considered the potential of hot-swappable batteries, because it seems like the trade-offs that would require (off the top of my mind: increased size, connector complexity and durability, manufacturer cooperation, infrastructure investment, ownership of one of the most expensive parts of the vehicle) were too vast to make sense. Well, I didn't consider how the 'speed of charging' might overwhelm all of those concerns for the delivery use-case. I bet this kicks ass when you can do it. https://theprint.in/tech/two-minute-battery-changes-push-indias-delivery-riders-to-switch-to-e-scooters/881609/ Edited March 21, 2022 by Richardo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tawpie Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 The biggest downside for EUCs is the cost of the battery packs (plural). My relatively small 750 Wh packs in the 16X retailed for 550USD each before the cost of batteries went SpaceX so I don't think I'd see much joy in buying a supplemental set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richardo Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Tawpie said: The biggest downside for EUCs is the cost of the battery packs (plural). My relatively small 750 Wh packs in the 16X retailed for 550USD each before the cost of batteries went SpaceX so I don't think I'd see much joy in buying a supplemental set. The infrastructure that makes this work (could it ever work for EUCs?) is a 'charge station' that allows you to swap a dead battery for one that is already fully charged! That neutralizes the tradeoffs of: 1. Buying multiple batteries 2. Lugging around heavy and explosive backups, 3. The slow charge time of lion chemistry. 4. The safety of charging a battery in your house It adds tradeoffs around: 1. Creating the infrastructure- someone has to invest in the business, and the infrastructure needed to charge all the batteries. 2. Safety- A business dealing with PEV batteries will have regular alkali metal fires. But a business may be better equipped to centralize that risk, compared to thousands of homeowners. 2. Ownership of the battery & the fairness of the battery trade. How do you account for the fact that your battery may only have 10 charge cycles on it and the battery you picked up has 500? Does that even matter anymore? Maybe a hot-swappable EV wouldn't even be sold with a battery, you would get your very first one from the charge station, with a hefty deposit. Edited March 21, 2022 by Richardo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul A Posted March 22, 2022 Share Posted March 22, 2022 MIght need a lot of swap stations, in a lot of locations. Might need a lot of EUC riders to make it feasible. Many EUC models with many battery pack sizes, shapes. How many EUC riders would be requiring a quick battery swap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.