A systems approach to battery powered vehicles

Battery exchange, where a discharged battery module(s) is replaced in seconds with a fully charged one, is discussed. This paper shows that the only way for electric vehicles to be available now for use by the California driver is with a battery exchange system. The battery powered car with an integrated battery will have a battery weighing nearly eight times that of the battery exchange car. The battery exchange standard module´s external configuration would allow for future battery types thereby avoiding obsolescence. Module standardization would allow for competition between battery types and/or manufacturers yet still provide substantial advantages for the consumer. As battery technology develops, better vehicle batteries will be simply exchanged for old versions and provide increased range and/or performance. This paper explores the relationships between operating costs, battery size and weight and the socio-economic advantages of battery exchange. The authors focus on the California drivers´ car needs, because this particular area has grown around the concept of personal vehicle ownership. However most of the concepts apply to any industrialized country or area