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“The Helixx vehicle platform can take up to six 2 kWh LFP (Lithium iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs for a total capacity of 12 kWh and a range of 200 km (124

“The Helixx vehicle platform can take up to six 2 kWh LFP (Lithium iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs for a total capacity of 12 kWh and a range of 200 km (124 miles). If that's not enough for a taxi shift or a delivery run, it's just a matter of swapping batteries to be productive again. Charging times become irrelevant.” The amount of charging time it takes to get your Tesla 120 miles of range might be comparable to the time it takes to swap these batteries. Fast charging is pretty fast once you’re plugged in, it’s the other stuff (finding the charger, waiting in line, etc.) that takes most of the time, and presumably that would be the same in this system. Also EV mile ratings are possibly achievable, but due to battery life longevity concerns, you generally keep the battery between 20-80%, so the actual effective range is 60% of what’s rated. I’m assuming whoever is swapping these batteries doesn’t want you taking them to 0 and isn’t giving them to you at 100 because they don’t want them rapidly degrading. Rapid charging and more battery seems to just be more efficient in every way than battery swapping.

marginallen 3y ago
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Koemul 3y ago
Just a note regarding battery longevity: LFP batteries like in the Helixx can be charged 0-100% with hardly any impact on battery lifetime [1]. Even NCM or NCA batteries can be charged 1-100%, because the battery management system doesn't actually fully charge or discharge the battery, even if the car shows zero or 100% charge. However, 20-80% or 10-90% charging does increase live time. [1] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/abae37/pdf https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/abae37/... Page 6, Figure 3, graphs 'd' shows the number of cycles until the battery can only hold 80% of a charge for LFP, NCM, and NCA batteries. Note that electric cars have a battery management to prevent the most damaging situations in those graphs (too hot/cold, full charge/discharge, too fast, etc.).
zihotki 3y ago
Rapid charging takes time, and time is money. Swapping a battery is very quick and easy, it can be done anywhere. In this regards it becomes even more convenient than a gas station since such charging/swapping station doesn't require permits and much space. More range will decrease efficiency and won't be needed for the main purpose of the vehicle. And it's possible to take more than one or two batteries. Just swap them at the next stop.

marginallen 3y ago

[dead]

Koemul 3y ago

Just a note regarding battery longevity: LFP batteries like in the Helixx can be charged 0-100% with hardly any impact on battery lifetime [1]. Even NCM or NCA batteries can be charged 1-100%, because the battery management system doesn't actually fully charge or discharge the battery, even if the car shows zero or 100% charge. However, 20-80% or 10-90% charging does increase live time. [1] https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/abae37/pdf https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/abae37/... Page 6, Figure 3, graphs 'd' shows the number of cycles until the battery can only hold 80% of a charge for LFP, NCM, and NCA batteries. Note that electric cars have a battery management to prevent the most damaging situations in those graphs (too hot/cold, full charge/discharge, too fast, etc.).

zihotki 3y ago

Rapid charging takes time, and time is money. Swapping a battery is very quick and easy, it can be done anywhere. In this regards it becomes even more convenient than a gas station since such charging/swapping station doesn't require permits and much space. More range will decrease efficiency and won't be needed for the main purpose of the vehicle. And it's possible to take more than one or two batteries. Just swap them at the next stop.