As part of Tesla's ongoing efforts to keep on Model S drivers on the road and away from the plug socket, the company has demonstrated a battery swapping service that takes a mere tick over 90 seconds – and is hands-free to boot.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk pointed out the Model S’ battery swap-ability was designed into the car back in 2009. The technology is the same as the one used during the manufacture process. Similar to Better Place’s now defunct system, drivers position their Model S over the replacement hole where sensors then detect and align. The automated system then removes the bolts holding the old 1,200 lb (544 kg) battery, sliding it down and out of the way and installing a new freshly charged battery. The whole thing took exactly 1 minute 33 seconds, which was less time than an Audi A4 took to fill its tank, at least according to Tesla's simultaneous demo.
Musk makes clear that owners “can have fast or you can have free,” meaning Model S owners can hit up the free Supercharger networks for some free juice or go with the battery swap for a fee. According to Forbes Model S owners will have the option to switch out the battery pack for roughly the price of 15 gallons (57 liters) of gas. For an anticipated fee of US$60–80, drivers can pick up their original (now recharged) battery on their return leg. Owners are billed via their credit card for the service without ever having to leave their cars.
Battery-swap stations will be installed next to existing Supercharger stations.
Source: Tesla Motors
As batteries get smaller and lighter it will become a man portable unit that is exchanged at the counter like a barbecue LPG bottle.
In the mean time this system will do. Convenience will breed duplication. If this system proves itself more will appear.
Re; The Skud
The gas that they burn off at the wellhead is not hydrogen. Some of the gasses in crude oil are extremely corrosive and burning them off as soon as possible is the best way to deal with them.
The point is you end up with your own battery afterwards, imagine what happens if you get a replacement some distance from home then can't / forget to collect your own battery?
This system would only work if batteries are rented and you just keep swapping for a different one without having to worry about ownership.
This swaps your battery. You can choose to keep the battery and pay a max $80 (gas prices). Of course, if not in a hurry, just charge your battery in 30 mins for FREE.
Hydrogen. It's a volatile gas with ZERO infrastructure. Electricity on the other hand is already everywhere. And Yes, you can charge your car at home overnight when you're asleep.
Musk shows two cars "powered up" in the same time that one takes to be "gassed up" and people scream for it to be done in 12 seconds? Cut the man some slack. :) Just half as much slack as you've been giving gas cars all these years will do. ;)
Who would need to travel more than 350 miles if there is a hurricane. Do you think you're going to stop off and fill your gas tank while there's a hurricane bearing down? Talk about FUD. If it ever occurred, I'd fancy my chances with the acceleration of an electric.