Tesla Battery Swap Stations

BUT..will it work in Michigan?http://www.forbes.com/sites/michelinemaynard/2014/10/21/michigan-to-tesla-motors-youre-not-welcome/

Gee you don't suppose there's some kind of dealer lobby that contributes to that thinking? Hey, it's a great idea and I hope they are successful in at least getting people to understand the concept could be viable.

I'm a huge fan of the electric car concept....and home charging with your own solar generation. Michigan is a headwind that's merely a nuisance

We need to coin a new word for that: buttwind.

Without standardisation with other car manufacutrers, it will have little chance of success. But who knows, Tesla may set the standard. It is always good in any industries to have a bold leader.

Saw a Tesla pass me on the highway the other day. The wife thought it was a sleek looking machine and was all but drooling over it. Now if I could only afford the price tag...

How does one get a car with a drained battery to the changing facility?

"customers will be able to trade-in a drained or low-charged battery for a fully charged one"

Exactly.

Also, they do not mention what it costs to completely swap out the battery - new(er) for old(er).......I bet the costs are considerable!!!

Considering that the battery in many EVs costs well over half the cost of a new car, this point alone should be a good "warning" for anyone to simply ignore EVs completely.....

Once battery life exceeds 10-20 years, then it may be a good idea.....today I believe that 5 years is about standard (could someone with up to date infos comment with links please?) at this time.....

Many forget that batteries have a finite number of recharges before capacity starts to drop, taking into account many different (some hard to define!) parameters......so the final end number of charges could vary wildly......sadly.....

If I had another 50 years to live, I still would not buy one (assuming I had the money!), maybe if I had a big win at the lottery.......

Even the electricity is dirty, made often from fossil fuels.....who can REALLY tell.....a Medium maybe?

To add to this, I read where Tesla's founder is planning on producing his own battery manufacturing facility. Here in the US, starting from raw materials through finished product. His estimate was a 20% reduction in battery costs. If he can reduce battery costs by that much, he might end up selling batteries to automakers for use as starting power in non electric cars.

Right now he is a bit peeved at the state of Ca. It seems that they are going to build a network of hydrogen filling stations. This after he invested in electric charging stations out of his pocket. Seems like Ca. is subsidizing an alternative to his alternative power supply.

I still feel that Hydrogen is the best move!!! Thanks for posting.

I don't have clear choice. I just think California should have to subsidize both options, not just one. Unless there are politicians involved, then, they just make their own rules.

both vehicle types come down to range, whoever has the infrastructure in place will win

Range is very important.

As is speed of re-fueling.

Also cost per year as seen over say 10 years....EVs score badly due to battery costs....where known....mostly they are kept secret by the manufacturer....