AltCar 2009: NuTech battery swap trailer is fresh, kind of crazy
NuTech battery swap trailer model - Click above for high-res image gallery
The most interesting electric vehicle concept product we saw at the AltCar expo in Santa Monica this weekend was the automatic battery charger and changer from NuTech Energy Solutions. Since the idea is a new one from Peter Capizzo and his business partner Glenda Dubak, all they had to show was a small-scale model made with an RC MINI and a homemade battery swap trailer. Yes, there is a trailer involved.
The NuTech idea goes like this: putting a bunch of electric car batteries into a trailer allows businesses a low-cost, low-risk way to offer EV drivers battery swaps. One could even rent the trailer to see if it makes sense to have one installed long-term. The only infrastructure needed would be a 440V, three-phase outlet and a 400 amp box to provide the energy needed for quick charging the batteries in the trailer. For EV drivers, getting on the ramp, paying via credit card from the driver-side window and leaving would take less than 60 seconds.
So, what are the problems? We list a few after the jump.
Photos copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
First, NuTech is talking about charging customers about $20 for a freshly-charged battery. That's a whole lot more than anyone is saying it will cost to charge at home overnight, but the obvious benefit is that swapping is fast and available on the go. Capizzo pointed out that $20 is less than an average gasoline fill-up today, and we agree that it could be seen as a good deal if the batteries provide a decent amount of range. But, if these are 100-mile packs like what the Leaf and iMiEV will have, then the twenty-cent-per-mile cost of these swaps is pretty outrageous for an electric vehicle.
Secondly, NuTech is facing the same problem(s) that Better Place is dealing with: how do you get the OEMs to sign on to a single battery standard? With many automakers using the battery packs as a structural component of the vehicle, finding ways to make them removable isn't going to be easy. NuTech's Capizzo told AutoblogGreen that he sees OEMs coming on board with his system if the Nissan-Renault alliance shows that the Better Place swap idea works.
Capizzo said that he can imagine an alarm system to deal with the potential of someone stealing the expensive batteries; having them on a trailer makes them much easier to take than if they're buried underground a la Better Place. Lastly, Capizzo didn't have a clear answer about how NuTech will be able to make money. He said that if 20 percent of EV drivers in an area where about 30 percent of all vehicles there are plug-ins used his system, then NuTech would be profitable. Considering how far out a day like that it, all we can say now is that we wish him luck. At the very least, a battery swap trailer is a fresh idea, and perhaps Better Place would like to add this idea to their portfolio someday.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon 5:31AM (10/05/2009)
I can't see this project ever getting off the ground but good luck to them anyway.
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Leo 5:55AM (10/05/2009)
where's the video?
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Sammy E 6:55AM (10/05/2009)
I think its a great idea, and Better Place should invest in it. Think of all those EV drivers who come home late and forget to charge and get stuck on the road the next day, AAA for EV's it sorta helps out with the range axiety thing...but yes we must have a standerd size battery (not capacity)
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aimless 7:09AM (10/05/2009)
You can plan your route along a swap station every 100 miles and hope that the pack you need is available and fully charged when you get there. Your nice new well maintained pack is replaced with a 3 year old deep cycled piece of junk and you are ready for the next leg of the trip.
Or you can rent a 15-20 kW generator trailer, keep it to a steady 55 mph and fill up with petrol.
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Laurens 7:15AM (10/05/2009)
If EV is the way to go (which I doubt, short-term) swapping standardised batteries starts to make sense to me. It will save an awfull amount of expenditure to bring the E network up to scratch if the alternative is home charging.
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Richard 12:23PM (10/05/2009)
so, $20 every two days? That's $50 every week? Gasoline seems like the better deal!
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Ernie 4:15PM (10/05/2009)
No, that's $20 every time you screw up and forget to charge at night.
Richard 4:45PM (10/05/2009)
Some people forget a lot...and this system prays on the forgetful.
pridanovs 2:55PM (10/07/2009)
I think idea is good for delivery companies or Taxi companies
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Andy 7:15PM (10/11/2009)
I think the battery swapping idea misses the point!! Because the cost of the EV is the battery and to have a battery swapping system work you need 2X to 4X the batteries to make it even close to effective. Even if you work out some sort of financial majic that spreads the cost over forever, it will be extremely expensive and cost the Utility companies or the Public a lot of money So I believe the headline on this item is right.
Remember the objective is to displace oil and gasoline at a minimum cost with electricity. the cheapest way to do this is with the PHEV with a short Electric range like 15 miles or so and plug it in to 110 volts every time you park. Eastern Canada already has 110V 15 amp outlets at every parking spot. It cost very little to install this kind of infrastructure. With smart control of these outlets the power compoanies can supply the power for free and make money because they can improve the efficiency of the grid. By the way, Notice the Toyota Prius Plug In wil have about a 15 mile All electric range!! Do they know something the rest of the world doesn't??
let;'s all focus on the real issue and not get carried away with things that can't pencil out financially!!
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