battery or cap driven autos

[hoola]

If the electrics were to have battery/caps in various standard sizes, and those standard sizes were available for replacement in an exchange system at charging stations, then a fully charged battery/cap could be quickly installed, the old battery/cap traded in and recharged for later testing and resale. This could be done in no more time than to add gas at a traditional gas station. On a high amperage quick disconnect, the lighter batteries for compacts could be exchanged by the customers in most cases. Larger vehicles would have bigger, heavier units to exchange and be priced accordingly. Another possibility is to offer charging stations a subsidized solar/wind utility upgrade, to help the greening technology further...

Edited December 20, 2014 by hoola

[Enthalpy]

Yes, I proposed it years ago and wasn't probably the first. It has been prototyped meanwhile and abandoned for unclear reasons. I still believe it's the best way to recharge car batteries: replace them.

 

Capacitors? Their capacity is far smaller than batteries. Useful to store the quick charge/discharge of regenerative braking, and use on autobus.

[Greg H.]

If the electrics were to have battery/caps in various standard sizes, and those standard sizes were available for replacement in an exchange system at charging stations, then a fully charged battery/cap could be quickly installed, the old battery/cap traded in and recharged for later testing and resale. This could be done in no more time than to add gas at a traditional gas station. On a high amperage quick disconnect, the lighter batteries for compacts could be exchanged by the customers in most cases. Larger vehicles would have bigger, heavier units to exchange and be priced accordingly. Another possibility is to offer charging stations a subsidized solar/wind utility upgrade, to help the greening technology further...

This isn't a new concept, when you get down to it. The problem becomes one of standards, building the cars to handle it, and maintaining warranty coverage on your car if the battery that isn't "yours" fries something. The fact that the batteries weigh hundreds of pounds doesn't help either.

 

That said, this was exactly how we handled the electric forlifts back when I worked at the textile mill. When the juice got low, you went to the charging station and swapped out the battery for a fresh one. (It took a hydraulic jack to get the old one out and the new one in, but there you are.)