One way to avoid having to wait for an electric vehicle battery to charge is to switch it for another one - and plenty of firms are working on technology to do just that in various areas.
We’ve already seen battery swap systems launched for cars, electric motorbikes, e-scooters and e-bikes – and now a Japanese consortium including Toyota, Isuzu and Suzuki is aiming to develop the technology for commercial vehicles.
The Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT), which includes Toyota, Isuzu, Hino Motors, Suzuki and Daihatsu, is partnering with Yamamoto Transport to research and develop standardised replaceable cartridge batteries for commercial electric vehicles.
The idea is that using replaceable batteries that can be swapped quickly would reduce the downtime for the vehicles, which can potentially impact a firm’s operations. It would also help to combat a potential ride in electricity demand at business sites that could occur it a fleet of EVs were all plugged in to charge at the end of the work day.
The Japanese companies are working on the practical application of detachable batteries, citing other benefits including the ability to reduce costs by reducing the battery capacity vehicles would require.
Replaceable battery cartridges could be used by a range of vehicles, including minivans and light trucks. There are plenty of other uses, potentially including delivering cartridge batteries to provide power in disaster zones where infrastructure has been damaged.
The CJPT and Yamamoto have not disclosed when they believe the technology could be ready to go into production.
READ MORE
Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter
e-CARS
UK charging networks: complete guide to every provider
New Cupra UrbanRebel is a bold EV supermini with 273-mile range
e-BIKES
10 fun things to try on an electric bike
Living with a Gocycle G4: how easy is it to adjust to?
e-MOTORBIKES
Seat Mó eScooter 125 UK review
How to do a CBT on an electric motorbike
Energica unveils new Experia electric tourer motorbike
e-SCOOTERS
Are e-scooters legal in the UK?
Private e-scooter rules 'cannot simply copy' rental regulations
Superpedestrian's European boss on why e-scooters are for everyone
e-WORLD
New Candela P-12 Shuttle to arrive as first electric ‘flying’ ferry
Pipistrel Velis Electro: meet the first certified electric plane