I doubt it, I really think 1000+KM solid state batteries with 5 minute charge times would be the preferable system.
Maybe objectively but don’t underestimate the peace of mind if people know that the battery would be easily serviceable. It’s not only for renting batteries. A car with battery swapping tech could have its battery replaced with a new bought one in minutes should there ever be a problem, no matter how unlikely it is.
Also, I think battery swapping is a great avenue for electric motorsports where 5 minute pit stops are not feasible, especially if the race series were to allow EVs to compete against ICE cars.
This article comes across as promotional to me
Written by the guy who holds the patent on the swapping system and who founded the company that is pushing the idea forward, that shouldn’t be a surprise.
But that’s clearly stated on the article’s page.
True. But I don’t think that he adressed the downsides of battery swapping (e.g. different form factors, different sizes and weights, the huge need for storage) and the advancement in charging technology (BYD just announced 5-minute-charging).
However, he really focussed on how charging stresses the electrical grid while completely ignorong the existence (and possibility) of battery-backed fast charging stations. Such a battery-backed fast charging system would probably need less battery capacity than the proposed swapping station.
