Why major Automakers Aren't Even Considering Battery Swapping For EVs
$Tesla(TSLA.US$ The article revealed several reasons why Automakers are not even considering battery swapping. I have summarized the various points here:
1) Battery swapping is unpopular among prominent automakers
Today, most automakers seem more interested in optimizing fast-charging technology and infrastructure. A few days ago, seven of the most prominent automakers, including BMW and Mercedes, announced they were joining forces to create a new EV charging network in North America. Major manufacturers are clearly no longer interested in pursuing battery-swapping technology, as it is far too complex, and seemingly far too late.
2) Battery swapping lacks compatibility
One of the main issues of battery swapping technology is the lack of compatibility. Electric vehicles don’t exactly rely on a one-size-fits-all battery type, instead, they use different battery models which all vary in dimensions, shape, and chemistry. Another alternative would be for each manufacturer to have their own dedicated stations, which isn't very convenient either. Being part of a growing industry, EVs are currently increasing at a rapid rate. As the demand grows and the competition gets more fierce, manufacturers are constantly modifying, or radically changing their battery packs to improve the range, efficiency, and overall affordability of their products.
3) Battery swapping is complex and costly
In order to accommodate all these factors, swapping stations would have to store a gargantuan amount of various batteries making the whole ordeal more complex and significantly costlier. These stations would also have to constantly ship, maintain and charge their various batteries, and keep an exact inventory of them to make sure they remain available at all times.
4) Battery swapping needs complicated hardware and extensive labor
The replacement machines would also require more complicated hardware, and software than that of normal chargers. The extensive labor needed to keep such an operation running, especially under the pressure of peak hours, is far from negligible. Furthermore, current batteries are known for being delicate, prone to degradation, and highly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
5) Manufacturers bear heavy financial cost - not sustainable
Consequently, manufacturers would have to bear the financial costs of such issues, instead of simply letting customers take care of their own battery packs, or buy new ones from the carmaker. Consumers might also be reluctant to integrate used batteries from an unknown source into their cars.
6) Battery swapping Ample system is unrealistic
The downside, however, is that manufacturers would have to replace their very own battery packs with an Ample system. The demand is quite unrealistic, as manufacturers have already invested tremendous amounts of time and money into developing their very own battery systems, which in turn are a core part of the vehicle's structure, performance, and overall dimensions. One could hardly imagine General Motors ditching its third-gen Ultium Platform in favor of Ample’s ambitious technology.
7) Technology is used by EV startups as a shortcut into the industry
It might thus be too late for battery-swapping to become a wide-scale option, as most manufacturers are not willing to surmount its various obstacles in order to reap its rewards. The technology seems more suitable for large commercial fleets, for which regular fast charging is not fast enough. Similarly, swapping technology could also be alluring to nascent companies, hoping to take a shortcut into the EV industry, or aiming to make their products more alluring by countering the current charging caveats.
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I reflected trading experiences by writing journals. My comments are for educational purposes not financial advice.
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Revelation 6 : Battery swapping is way too messy not to mention the hazards that are involved. The average person couldn’t do it safely increasing risk to manufacturers.
ZnWCOP Revelation 6: It is not a sustainable business model. Ultimately the EV company will need to bear a huge financial cost.
SoundOfMusic : Battery swapping has its place in the EV market. Look at the cold weather in Chicago last week, EVs were lining up to charge for hours. It took longer and slower to charge because of the cold weather, lack of battery juice to precondition the battery temperature for efficient charging and lack of charging stations to meet demand.
Think battery swap now. Drive in and drive out in five minutes.
Battery swap can also shift the charging in non-peak hour to even out the grid electricity demand.
Both fast charging and battery swap are useful.
Best of both worlds is to have high voltage battery swap. So you can swap or charge whichever is more convenient.
ZnWCOP SoundOfMusic: Thanks for sharing. Regarding the articles about the charging issue, Forbes took a more neutral stand and reported that experienced EV owners will do what we called EV battery preconditioning to avoid charging issues in extreme cold weather.
Beware of negative bias headline about Battery Electric Vehicles
https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/111774998790150?global_content=%7B%22invite%22%3A%22101709443%22%2C%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A111774998790150%22%7D&data_ticket=212ca245a589f1e400fb2e247953bc77&futusource=nnq_personal_host&content_type=feeddetail&channel_name=10
ZnWCOP SoundOfMusic: If you read the above article, it has already considered what you just said. The technology seems more suitable for large commercial fleets (like buses) which uses one single battery model and regular fast charging is not fast enough.
BS may be convenient to customers on paper but charging stations are still preferred by major automakers because the BS stations are costly and a nightmare to maintain.
Nio Battery Swap Stns 10 Yrs payback period under most optimistic conditions
https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/111681660584342?global_content=%7B%22invite%22%3A%22101709443%22%2C%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A111681660584342%22%7D&data_ticket=212ca245a589f1e400fb2e247953bc77&content_type=feeddetail&channel_name=10
SoundOfMusic : The point is that if you wait in line in the cold weather to charge your run down battery. there will not be enough charge in the battery to precondition the battery!
As you wait for hours in the cold, in your car, in line up to charge your car, do you keep yourself warm with heat on or keep the battery warm?
Just saying don't rule out battery swap idea.
ZnWCOP SoundOfMusic: Like I just said, BS is more suitable for commercial fleets like buses which use only a single battery model and fast charging is not fast enough.
BS is used as a shortcut to break into the EV industry aiming to make their products more alluring by countering the current charging caveats.
Why Nio EV swap station is not practical
https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/111667103006726?global_content=%7B%22invite%22%3A%22101709443%22%2C%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A111667103006726%22%7D&data_ticket=212ca245a589f1e400fb2e247953bc77&futusource=nnq_search_search-result&content_type=feeddetail&channel_name=10
SoundOfMusic : As far as Nio battery swap is concerned, it is supported by the government because it can balance the grid to smooth out the peak charging demand.
Buses and trucks should be using hydrogen energy which is more energy dense than battery and lighter weight than battery.
ZnWCOP SoundOfMusic: Charging stations are also strongly supported by the government and commonly adopted by Chinese EVs like BYD, Xpeng, Li Auto etc. The 2 articles revealed that there will be 9.58 millions charging stations versus 2,300 swapping stations in China by year end. The data clearly shown EV using charging station is far more popular in China than swapping stations.
9.58 millions charging stations vs 2,300 swapping stations in China by end 2023
https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/110781434953734?global_content=%7B%22invite%22%3A%22101709443%22%2C%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A110781434953734%22%7D&data_ticket=212ca245a589f1e400fb2e247953bc77&futusource=nnq_search_search-result&content_type=feeddetail&channel_name=10
71851975 : This post should be forwarded to the NIO CEO for a look
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