Video of Project Better Place's battery exchange system
The above video is a computer simulation of the Project Better Place battery exchange stations and parking lots. It's the same video shown in the background as Shai Agassi, the company's founder and CEO, explained the idea of the company on CNBC yesterday. Project Better Place wants to build a network of refueling points for electric car making electric cars as easy to re-fuel as gas cars. In the presentation launching the company, Shai said it was the "historic mistake" of the electric car industry not focusing on a re-fueling network.
The big test of Shai's model is whether or not major automakers will sign on to his systems and standards. Project Better Place is talking to 5 automakers that Shai won't name but he promises road tests early in 2008. Shai said the tests will be in places where electric car ranges make a lot of sense because they are land-locked for geographical or cultural reasons. A slide in his presentation, which is also below the fold, included Germany, Japan, London, Hawaii and Israel but other countries were mentioned as well.
It's very early and a system like this has never been tried before but I think this company is one to watch.
[Source: Project Better Place]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jack marchand 7:35PM (2/13/2008)
Feb.9,2008
Gentlemen/Ladies
For more ideas for future transportation click these web sites
http://globalsys.topcities.com/electriCar.html
-----Swap battery system
http://trillions.topcities.com/dualmodemaglev.html
-----Automated high speed transport system
http://globalsys.topcities.com/00glblslrnrgsys.html
-----Global solar energy system
http://trillions.topcities.com/index1a.html
-----My resume and background experience
http://globalsys.topcities.com
-----Main web page - See index at bottom for more.
Contact me via email for other info.
sincerely Jack Marchand
Reply
dc8forever 7:16PM (2/20/2008)
Starting a small comany with big vision: Quick charge tech, battery swap and battery charge.Like many, I will try to create a degree of driving freedom while providing alterntives and hope, some jobs in the process. No, I do not want it all but want to share on the benefit and advantages we can provide for all of us. Yes, I am dreamer, but more than that I am a realist with little money to start. Well you will either laugh or support the initiative. I am up against an ever increasing chance to loose my job once again to outsourcing thanks to the never ending increase in fuel cost in parallel with the world uncertainty in world economy. No, I do not look to take it all but to share on the possible success of learning either what to do /not do. Here we go. Starting with a couple of rental kit electric cars and the service to swap /change / charge batteries. Wish me luck. If I succeed then I'll share it with all. If not..well I willshare what I learn with others(good bad or indiferent)
write if you care to contribute or help. Your comments are appreciated. Constructive will be good. I have much to learn. So thank you in advance. Contributions of all kind are accepted
Signed : dc8forever@yahoo.com
Reply
jack marchand 9:53PM (3/01/2008)
March 1st,2008
Gentlemen
We need not worry about anyone trying to control the battery swap stations,
something I can design (see my web sites below) if need be.
Not only lithium-ion batteries could be used in these stations but
any type see this web site of the EPA.
http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00034.htm
It states -The following types of batteries have the potential to power electric vehicles:
• Lead-Acid— Provides a low-cost, low-range (less than 100 miles) option wi
th a 3-year life cycle.
• Nickel-Metal Hydride — Offers a greater driving range and life cycle, but is cur
rently more expensive than lead-acid batteries.
• Nickel-Cadmium — Offers a range of 100 miles, a long life, and faster rechar
ges than lead-acid batteries, but is more expensive and has lower peak pow
er and recharging efficiency.
• Lithium-Ion — Offers the potential for a long driving range and life cycle, but is currently very costly.
•Zinc-Air — Currently under development. Provides superior performance compared to current battery technology.
Flywheels Currently under development. Could be capable of storing a larger
amount of energy in smaller, lighter weight systems than chemical batteries.
SO PUSH COMES TO SHOVE ANY CHOICE WILL WORK
No need waiting for the best "mouse trap".choices may limit our
distances between swaps but not for long. More frequent stops would
be required for various types but only for a minute. Since a global
standard size and voltage will be agreed upon forcing the auto
manufacturers to comply to a quick swap interfacing at all stations
all new entrepreneurs will want to participate thus forcing
competition like never seen before. I.E. No more monopolies in
refueling any and all vehicles including trucks and buses.
Visit my web sites for a new beginning -check this
http://globalsys.topcities.com/electriCar.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com/dualmodemaglev.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com/00glblslrnrgsys.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com
For more data on other items go down towards the bottom of the last
web site above and click on to the various indexes.
I hope you enjoy it. A new attitude is coming for a better and happier world
Sicerely Jack Marchand
Reply
jack marchand 5:43PM (3/04/2008)
March 1st,2008
Gentlemen
We need not worry about anyone trying to control the battery swap stations,
something I can design (see my web sites below) if need be.
Not only lithium-ion batteries could be used in these stations but
any type see this web site of the EPA.
http://epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/420f00034.htm
It states -The following types of batteries have the potential to power electric vehicles:
• Lead-Acid— Provides a low-cost, low-range (less than 100 miles) option wi
th a 3-year life cycle.
• Nickel-Metal Hydride — Offers a greater driving range and life cycle, but is cur
rently more expensive than lead-acid batteries.
• Nickel-Cadmium — Offers a range of 100 miles, a long life, and faster rechar
ges than lead-acid batteries, but is more expensive and has lower peak pow
er and recharging efficiency.
• Lithium-Ion — Offers the potential for a long driving range and life cycle, but is currently very costly.
•Zinc-Air — Currently under development. Provides superior performance compared to current battery technology.
Flywheels Currently under development. Could be capable of storing a larger
amount of energy in smaller, lighter weight systems than chemical batteries.
SO PUSH COMES TO SHOVE ANY CHOICE WILL WORK
No need waiting for the best "mouse trap".choices may limit our
distances between swaps but not for long. More frequent stops would
be required for various types but only for a minute. Since a global
standard size and voltage will be agreed upon forcing the auto
manufacturers to comply to a quick swap interfacing at all stations
all new entrepreneurs will want to participate thus forcing
competition like never seen before. I.E. No more monopolies in
refueling any and all vehicles including trucks and buses.
Visit my web sites for a new beginning -check this
http://globalsys.topcities.com/electriCar.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com/dualmodemaglev.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com/00glblslrnrgsys.html
http://globalsys.topcities.com
For more data on other items go down towards the bottom of the last
web site above and click on to the various indexes.
I hope you enjoy it. A new attitude is coming for a better and happier world
Sicerely Jack Marchand
Reply
jack marchand 8:14AM (5/20/2008)
Gentlemen--- May 19,2008
Here are some of my web sites. --- http://trillions.topcities.com/index.html --- --- http://trillions.topcities.com/electriCar.html --- --- http://trillions.topcities.com/dualmodemaglev.html --- ---Many more of my Ideas are also shown in other web pages for all others to view also such as a Global Solar Energy System. Quick-Swap EV battery exchange stations.Etc.
Sincerely, Jack Marchand
Email--jackmarchant@yahoo.com
Reply
william 5:04PM (8/11/2008)
I hope when electric cars come on the market that they will have all possible surfaces covered in solar panels. No, I don't expect to never have to charge from the mains. I might get away with that if I only drive to the corner store or even, possibly if my only driving is, say, 20km to work each day but if the solar panels even reduce the cost of driving by 10 or 20%, they would easily pay for themselves. Imagine leaving your car in the sun for eight hours while you are at work. I figure you might get a couple of km of driving for each hour in the full sun.
Reply
Gianni Gianoli 5:50AM (11/03/2008)
Credo di poter brevettare diverso sistema di carica ma con
diversa energia potenziale ,non elettrica con possibilità di conservazione della carica anche di molti anni
Reply
Tom 2:05PM (1/03/2009)
I like the car battery exchange idea. Maybe the auto-makers or the fuel companies should sell the batteries as a service and not as an item that we ever own. The car owner pay $500 per year and you can exchange the batteries for freshly charged ones as many times as you need to at any battery exchange station. The station would need to be able to change a battery in under 5 minutes so they could avoid lines of cars waiting for an exchange and ideally they would have a “self help” feature so users don’t even need to wait on an attendant.
As for standardizing the battery so the same machine can switch any car's battery(s); If they were able to make millions of devices that all accommodate AA, AAA and 12v batteries, then surely that can get electric car makers to agree on two or three standard battery compartments with two or three different standard battery packs. Car makers could standardize the battery based on current technology and it could evolve over time as new developments occur. A bar-code or WIFI transmitted code cold relay the model and battery informatin to the battery changing robot as the car pulls onto the platform.
I agree that a solution like this is vital to the success of 100% electric cars. The only other solution would involve a major breakthrough in solar charging or a major breakthrough in battery storage capabilities.
T
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Joseph 11:56PM (10/30/2007)
Wait a second...they're going to make recharging infrastrucutre along with battery replacement pit stops?
That's sounds so silly. Just add a charger with the car; chargers aren't very expensive and aren't so bulky either. So far, I think this compnay is hype. Then again, you never know!
Reply
Domenick 6:25PM (10/30/2007)
The recharge station makes so much more sense than battery swapping. The recharge station has very few, if any, moving parts, can easily be adapted to any size vehicle with any type battery architecture and perfectly functional with future improvements in energy storage. Battery swapping offers none of the flexibility, demands industry collusion...er, cooperation, and would be prohibitively expensive to implement and maintain.
Am I missing something here?
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Scatter 6:28PM (10/30/2007)
It does look interesting. I'm wondering if the swap station would be able to take multiple battery types.
Finally got to watch the presentation and it's extremely encouraging that they're only considering renewable energy sources of energy. EVs driving fast renewables growth is an intriguing possibility.
As you said, definitely one to watch.
Reply
rgseidl 6:42PM (10/30/2007)
Battery exchange is a very expensive ploy, because you inherently have to have a large number of fully charged batteries lying around just waiting for someone to come by and pick them up. How does the parties know they are trading like for like in terms of product quality and condition? You'd basically have to buy the car without a battery pack and then sign a contract with a service provider - whose solution will, by design, be incompatible with that of his competition.
Inductive recharging makes more sense because no heave battery packs need to be swapped out. Indeed, the EV1 program included inductive coupling recharge stations at the homes of lessees. However, you do need to bring the coils into very close proximity: the full ground clearance of a vehicle is probably far too large a gap.
Both of Mr. Agassi's ideas are based on the premise that BEV owners will want to use them exactly as they use their ICE-based vehicle today.
Yet that is not how technological change works. Consumers' expectations can and do adapt to what is possible, last not least because advertising does influence their priorities. Perhaps BEV owners won't be all that worried about range on a single charge if it's not their only vehicle. Instead, they may put a premium on long service intervals and very quiet operation. Or on acceleration performance. Or any of the other things that BEVs are supposedly much better at than ICE-based vehicles.
Reply
Domenick 7:14PM (10/30/2007)
@rgseidl: It's like he wants the entire market to conform to his idea instead of conforming to the entire market. Anyway.....what do you think about this idea of electricity transmission?
http://www.physorg.com/news100445957.html
Reply
Ernie 8:30PM (10/30/2007)
1: Yup, you're missing one. Don't forget that the batteries have to be a standard shape and size across all cars. And since battery voltage basically determines the amount of power your car has in horsepower, it means that everyone has a car with the exact same power output.
Better yet, especially with robotic changings, you can arrive with a 48 volt battery (plus maybe some scrap metal and whatever else you need to fool the robot) and leave with a 196 volt battery. Sweet!
Reply
Chris M 8:56PM (10/30/2007)
The video showed a recharging station in the parking lot - it would not be practical to retrofit parking lots to do battery swaps!
The battery swap station is the building that looks a bit like a car wash.
Reply
scatter 8:26AM (10/31/2007)
$200 million is a lot of hype!
I don't see that replacing batteries should be such a problem from an engineering point of view. There's no reason why a selection of different batteries could be accommodated. Or thinking about it, what about modular battery packs using the same small batteries? It would certainly require a lot of cooperation from the principal vehicle manufacturers but if they could offer their customers a guaranteed 30 second battery swap they may well be interested.
By the sounds of things the swap stations could provide revenue earning load balancing services when vehicle demand is low.
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Scatter 8:27AM (10/31/2007)
Ahem! "There's no reason why a selection of different batteries couldn't be accommodated."!
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rob 8:27AM (10/31/2007)
The battery swap system is about the only idea that actually makes electric cars feasible. Here's a real life scenario that makes me really hesitant to ever buy an electric car. One day I drove to work and also had to run an errand at one of the plants. This probably means that I can barely make it home without a recharge. However, I received a phone call after running my errand that my son had broken his arm and I needed to go to the hospital. Except the hospital was further away than my range allows. With the battery swap, this isn't an issue.
Here's another one. I came home one day to find that the mulch delivered to my house was dumped in my driveway instead of on the side. I parked on the street instead (no charging possible). I moved the 12 yards of mulch but it was so late that after I cleaned up and ate dinner, I crashed for the night. I never moved the car off the street (no charge). When I realize the next morning that I can't make it to work because I have less than the needed charge, the battery swap seems like a better idea!
Or this one...it is mid January and the temperature is overing near zero. The performance of the battery pack is down so that I can't really make it to and from work. With the battery swap, I can make it now.
About the only nice thing about our petrol solution is the convenience of instant refueling almost everywhere. The electric cars needs that same level of convenience. I had a friend who used to own a Diesel, but traded it in after being stranded at one too many times at a gas station that did not carry Diesel.
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rob 8:29AM (10/31/2007)
Wow Rob who proofread that!??!?!? Bad bad bad..
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Tim 9:41AM (10/31/2007)
Why piss away another $200M on this stupid idea when they could spend that money on fast-charge technology? Anyway, 82% of all drives are less than 40 miles in length which gives us PLENTY of opportunities to recharge. The other 18% of drives can be handled by using a range extender using biofuels, H2(yuck) or even by renting an ICE car for those occasional long trips. Better yet, take the train! NO one method will solve every situation and battery swap is a waste of time and money and it will KILL competition and innovation.
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