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Tesla did have battery swap stations where the battery would be swapped in around 90 seconds (less time than it takes to fill up a tank)[0]. However, uptake was
by m-i-l 11y ago
Tesla did have battery swap stations where the battery would be swapped in around 90 seconds (less time than it takes to fill up a tank)[0]. However, uptake was apparently very small so focus was shifted to building the network of supercharger stations[1].
[0] https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/battery-swap-pilot-program https://www.teslamotors.com/blog/battery-swap-pilot-program
[1] http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/10/tesla-battery-swap/ http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/10/tesla-battery-swap/
- shpx 11y agoHere's a close up demonstration https://youtu.be/CH-H3-F4Ztc?t=2m8s https://youtu.be/CH-H3-F4Ztc?t=2m8s
- toomuchtodo 11y agoTesla's battery swap station was a compliance tool in order to collect ZEV credits in California. A battery swap station costs ~$500K, while a Supercharger station with charging stalls costs $150K. Tesla has determined that Supercharging is adequate for Tesla owners, and continued uptake of the product seems to confirm that hypothesis.
- andygates 11y agoThe more interesting question, then, becomes "why didn't you swap your battery?" to drivers who charged instead.
- m-i-l 11y agoCharging is currently free, whereas the battery swap was US$60.
- greglindahl 11y agoYou had to swap back to your own battery on the way home. When I drive SF/LA, I go down on I5 (passing the swap station) and come back up the coast. If Teslas had leased batteries it would be easier, but they do not.