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Problem at the moment for electric vehicles is charging times, 20-30 minutes just won't cut it with most consumers...
You're right, I wouldn't want to charge an electric at a station. For a small commuter vehicle expected to travel no more than 50 miles / day, many consumers will have more like 10 hours for charging every night in their garage or carport. At my company, there are about 30 spots in the parking garage for daytime charging.
Gas stations really haven't changed much in 40 years with the exception of credit cards at the pump, some TVs at the pump, and dirtier bathrooms.
I realize there could be geographical differences, but in my region, I would argue gas stations have changed significantly over the last 40 years.
In 1977, the typical gas station offered the traditional full service treatment, with fuel dispensed by attendants, who would also offer to check tire pressure and oil/washer fluid level. Many also has a self-serve island, so you could dispense your own gas and save a couple of cents a gallon. The station had service bays, restrooms (key to use available on request) and a small cashier's office that sold a few snacks and some cold beverages. As an alternative and to a lesser extent, some convenience stores had a small self-serve fuel island, usually a two-dispenser affair that offered no-name gas.
Today in my metro of over 2M population, I can think of only three of the traditional full-service gas stations with service bays left. The convenience store concept has completely taken over, with much larger fuel islands and convenience stores that in some cases have fast-food franchises in them. Many of them sell name brand fuels, also. I have yet to see any with TV screens at the pump islands, though.
Swapping batteries sounds good. But in reality, I'm never gonna swap my brand new battery for someone else's worn out battery.
Batteries all have unique ID's. Tesla's battery swap machine is the future. I think the only piece they are missing is the one you mention.
But with just a little software tweek, you can have it set up so that 'your' battery is left behind at a change, and the software at the change station, waits until a car comes in that is headed back to your home state/town and loads your battery onto that car to carry it 'home' for you. When you return to town, you go for another swap where your car is located and it is returned to you. That should satisfy most people concerned about "losing" their battery.
Also, I would imagine that as the technology advances, a battery changing station will be able to test each battery as it is swapped and those with x dead cells will be pulled out of line and repaired. In this way, all batteries will always be in excellent shape and you can't get a 'bad' one.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy100
I think the car sharing thing is going to be the Segway of our time.
In reality only 1% of the population will ever give up a car and strictly live by car sharing.
Gas stations really haven't changed much in 40 years with the exception of credit cards at the pump, some TVs at the pump, and dirtier bathrooms.
Might want to tell GM that, given they are designing cars like the Bolt specifically for car sharing.
I think you are out of touch from where transportation is going, especially for urban millennials. Although things may not change for small town / rural America, that is not where most Americans live. And with high housing costs, high insurance, student loans, soaring medical insurance, and stagnant wages if you can find a job, young urban people are moving rapidly away from cars.
You're right, I wouldn't want to charge an electric at a station. For a small commuter vehicle expected to travel no more than 50 miles / day, many consumers will have more like 10 hours for charging every night in their garage or carport. At my company, there are about 30 spots in the parking garage for daytime charging.
Sounds ideal for those commuters who have a garage and carport but many of us live in apartment buildings and have to park our cars on the street where there is no provision for overnight charging.
Problem at the moment for electric vehicles is charging times, 20-30 minutes just wont cut it with most consumers and they will opt for a fuel efficient gas powered car that can be filled with gas in 5 minutes and then be capable of 300+ miles.
People will plug them in overnight, and they will be ready to go in the morning. The only thing that needs to be fixed is the range. Once the range of electric cars hits 1000 miles or so, charging time will be irrelevant. Until then, they can also charge them while they stop to eat. The car can charge while the driver eats lunch.
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