General Discussion

JHB

(38,242 posts)

25. Suggestion: Standardize batteries & swap them out

Mon Mar 5, 2012, 11:36 AM

Mar 2012

I recall a YouTube video of a speech by someone (I forget who), trying to get at some of the practical problems with electric cars.

One of the things he suggested that made a lot of sense is standardizing battery packages so that they could be swapped out simply and easily, if not by hand then by putting the car through an automated battery-swapper that it would be run through like in a car wash. These things would be set up at locations much like gas stations, and have a stock of spares.

This would better allow:
1) a car to get a full recharge in a couple of minutes, just like you do when you fill up a tank;
2) the batteries could then be recharged while they are sitting around at the charging station, while the car is off on its way;
3) the batteries to be upgraded independently of the car itself;
4) multiple manufacturers, as long as they conform to the standards.

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So, why aren't "we" buying more electric cars? [View all] theophilus Mar 2012 OP

Batteries still cost too much.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #1

I believe five years will be too late. We don't have much time left. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #7

Suggestion: Standardize batteries & swap them out JHB Mar 2012 #25

Sounds interesting. Might be a good way to "get the show theophilus Mar 2012 #28

this Schema Thing Mar 2012 #54

Like this? -> IDemo Mar 2012 #62

Yes, that's exactly what was discussed. JHB Mar 2012 #103

We've been hearing this for years...decades KansDem Mar 2012 #33

Great info. I believe this progress is being opposed by some theophilus Mar 2012 #36

Give thee a hint: it rhymes with "Moil Partel". HughBeaumont Mar 2012 #78

The difference being that there are actual production electric cars out now.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #67

Here's some pretty exciting news along those lines� Jackpine Radical Mar 2012 #41

Great news....if it will actually materialize. We need it NOW. Thanks. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #47

They have a very small range between charges. former9thward Mar 2012 #2

It would certainly work for me and I believe it would work for far more people than are buying the theophilus Mar 2012 #5

I have a 60-mile commute each way to work and back HillWilliam Mar 2012 #12

Thanks for that. We certainly do what we can. I believe the Gov't. needs to help theophilus Mar 2012 #30

Any reports I've seen over here in the UK on the subject dipsydoodle Mar 2012 #3

A second car that doesn't burn petroleum would be great. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #6

Because I require something that can pull a two ton trailer- snooper2 Mar 2012 #4

Do you drive that vehicle everywhere? Do you take it to Sonic? How about an electric as a second theophilus Mar 2012 #8

Not everyone can afford a 2nd car. HappyMe Mar 2012 #13

I hear that. I wish the government would provide charging stations theophilus Mar 2012 #26

I personally can't afford any car right now. HappyMe Mar 2012 #32

That I think is the problem. Life Long Dem Mar 2012 #42

Of course I do, it's my truck...Yes, we go to Sonic together... snooper2 Mar 2012 #27

That sounds like a good combo. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #31

"If I could afford an electric" el_bryanto Mar 2012 #9

My reasons for not buying one: bighart Mar 2012 #10

Thank you for listing your reasons. n/t theophilus Mar 2012 #17

Agree with your list rurallib Mar 2012 #35

Especially that last one. randome Mar 2012 #39

I shouldn't say all of the electrics are butt ugly, just most of them. bighart Mar 2012 #49

Here you go! Shadowflash Mar 2012 #69

Same here. sarge43 Mar 2012 #50

The reason "I" don't: Johnny Rico Mar 2012 #11

Because at $40,000 Le Taz Hot Mar 2012 #14

Because I can't spend $40,000 on a car. Shadowflash Mar 2012 #15

Correcting numbers #1 - Nissan Leaf net price is 28550 - less in some states dmallind Mar 2012 #59

Fair enough. Shadowflash Mar 2012 #63

No new car will ever be a sound financial call over a 7yr old one , but 12-14MM are sold every year. dmallind Mar 2012 #66

Still too expensive for me and the cost benefit still isn't there, I need a minivan not 2 cars uponit7771 Mar 2012 #82

The average American wallet can't afford a 2003 beater, that's why. HughBeaumont Mar 2012 #16

And there you go! Minimum wage leads to minimum purchases. NuttyFluffers Mar 2012 #105

Too expensive for me. sinkingfeeling Mar 2012 #18

The 1% can afford them, not us. TalkingDog Mar 2012 #19

Price lacrew Mar 2012 #20

Price is too high, range is too small.. Upton Mar 2012 #21

price and design Dokkie Mar 2012 #22

I saw my first Leaf in person the other day.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #34

Very small? Near identical to Focus. dmallind Mar 2012 #60

Hmm Dokkie Mar 2012 #92

This is an idea that deserves some attention - IDemo Mar 2012 #23

edit Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #29

Sorry, forgot the link IDemo Mar 2012 #43

Mitsubishi EV starting at $21,625 with 112 MPGe Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #24

Where are the tax credits to buy these automobiles? KansDem Mar 2012 #37

We don't make enough to benefit from tax credits. We theophilus Mar 2012 #45

The program already exists, $7,500 federal tax credit Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #48

peanuts KansDem Mar 2012 #57

pretty old info Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #61

Then why not make hybrid/electric cars' tax credits $100,000 too? KansDem Mar 2012 #68

Those who can afford it don't care about the fuel efficiency. canoeist52 Mar 2012 #38

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! In my case, lack thereof. hobbit709 Mar 2012 #40

If I could afford an electric I would get one ASAP. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2012 #44

Reality Check phantom power Mar 2012 #46

If you really believe that silliness. tritsofme Mar 2012 #51

I think the government should buy them first tabbycat31 Mar 2012 #52

agree. Schema Thing Mar 2012 #56

my dad has a government vehicle tabbycat31 Mar 2012 #85

The Post Office has tried electric vehicles FarCenter Mar 2012 #58

"We" can't afford new cars. nt TBF Mar 2012 #53

12-14mm sold every year in US. Even now. dmallind Mar 2012 #64

Top 20% at best and that's using your numbers. TBF Mar 2012 #70

Top 20% of what? dmallind Mar 2012 #80

This article in the NYT actually gives a little higher number - TBF Mar 2012 #94

I can get a 2010 Prius in my area Proud Public Servant Mar 2012 #55

Range and cost. RegieRocker Mar 2012 #65

Make them 5K a piece and watch them fly out of the dealership. nt Snake Alchemist Mar 2012 #71

you can't buy a decent motorcycle for 5k Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #74

A 2012 Kawasaki 250 Ninja is $4199.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #96

I knew a little 95 pound, 22 year old woman with a 250 ninja Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #98

I rode an RD350 many years ago.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #99

I had a little Yamaha 200 way back when Motown_Johnny Mar 2012 #104

That 200 would be like a 125 these days.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #111

You'd have to do some SERIOUS calculus to determine if that thing was *really* Romulox Mar 2012 #110

The scooters and mopeds I've seen typically seem to require a lot of repair.. Fumesucker Mar 2012 #112

Cost and Range. ParkieDem Mar 2012 #72

I am not buying one because I cannot afford one Marrah_G Mar 2012 #73

I *might* have to move a fridge once every five years taught_me_patience Mar 2012 #75

Support infrastructure for charging Jack Sprat Mar 2012 #76

Not ready for prime time. Edim Mar 2012 #77

Not enough benefit at this point Spike89 Mar 2012 #79

***THEY'RE EXPENSIVE AND UNPRACTICAL AND UGLY ON PURPOSE**** uponit7771 Mar 2012 #81

Poor range; few charging stations; no where to charge where I live now REP Mar 2012 #83

i can't afford to buy ANY kind of new car right now Scout Mar 2012 #84

I bought a Leaf. I love it. Taverner Mar 2012 #86

'Cuz our '91 and '93 Toyotas still run fine. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2012 #87

Made in? Edim Mar 2012 #88

I don't know where. But, I'm guessing Japan. They are indeed indestructible. Tierra_y_Libertad Mar 2012 #89

An electric vehicle is not a "car" Terry in Austin Mar 2012 #90

if we could afford a second car, and we had nearby charging stations semillama Mar 2012 #91

Because they are way too expensive? workinclasszero Mar 2012 #93

This site says about 57,000 EV cars and trucks, and 29,000,000 eBike, eScooter, eCycles globally FarCenter Mar 2012 #95

"The Volt has been battered by Republicans as evidence of the Obama administration's failures..." Robb Mar 2012 #97

GM created the problem Flatpicker Mar 2012 #100

LOL. nt Romulox Mar 2012 #108

Cost Plus Plug-in Difficulties Yo_Mama Mar 2012 #101

"If I could afford an electric...." rayofreason Mar 2012 #102

Here's something else to think about Jello Biafra Mar 2012 #106

I read over and over about 60+ mile commutes every time one of these threads comes around belcffub Mar 2012 #107

People vote with their wallets; "who killed the electric car"? The public. nt Romulox Mar 2012 #109

Why? guardian Mar 2012 #113

Take your pick of reasons. Angleae Mar 2012 #114