Ford Unsure of Battery-Swapping for Electric Vehicles
The battery-swapping concept currently being implemented by Better Place has many feeling optimistic about the future of hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Not all, however, are sold on the much-heralded idea brought about by Better Place founder and CEO Shai Agassi.
In a recent article on allcarselectric, the director of global electrification at Ford, Nancy Gioia, expressed reservations about what amounts to a futuristic ‘gas station’ in Better-Place’s revolutionary plan.
“Battery swapping is an interesting concept, but there are potential pitfalls that must be overcome,” said Gioia. “A lot of EVs, because of the size of batteries and energy density, may have liquid cooling and that cooling loop has to break to change a battery. It’s a difficult thing to do,” she continued.
According to Gioia, the evolution and progression of batteries and battery technology also raises concerns. “Battery packs are expected to change year to year as technology improves,” Gioia added. Ensuring that battery-swapping stations keep pace with the ever-evolving batteries being produced by manufacturers would pose significant challenges for the Better Place model.
So will Better Place eventually become the answer to the overall electrification of the modern vehicle? No one really knows at this point. For now though, significant hurdles need to be cleared before battery-swapping stations start popping up on street corners throughout the world.
Category: Batteries Exposed, Battery News
