With an ever-increasing number of electric vehicles, and the relatively less range and long recharging times they offer, quick battery swap stations could be a very good option. A prototype built by Better Place does exactly that, and in a quick 1 minute 13 seconds. As batteries progress technologically, cars running on electric power will get a higher range, and these battery swapping stations could become analogous to gas stations, that is, if things go according to Better Place’s plans.
The system uses two robotic battery shuttles on an automated track system. One shuttle holds the fully charged battery, while the other gets to work removing the depleted battery. When the new battery has been inserted, the track system returns the depleted battery to a storage bay. The shuttles are capable of working with a number of battery types, so as to be really effective. While all that sounds good, the prototype is pretty expensive at $500,000.
Via: TreeHugger/ Good
