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Battery Swap [video]

teslamotors.com

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Re: Battery Swap [video]

#101

Post by ChuckMcM »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #44

I saw it and wondered "what about dirt"? Dust, gravel, spilled oil, the stray coke can. Rain (yes it does sometimes rain in California). This is a fine stage demo, but really? We're talking enormous sealed electric bombs, swapped out by automated wrench and jack platforms, then a subterranean battery-storage-and-recharge system. The bigger technology than 'doing it at all' is 'keeping it working under environmental c…

I don't doubt they have all of those issues covered, but was looking at some of the damage reports from Hurricane Sandy on the subway in Manhattan and thought "hmm if a surge of saltwater submerged one of these things you would only have a limited time to get it un-submerged before the saltwater got into the packs. When that happened you'd be in a world of hurt.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#102

Post by loceng »

btucker wrote: post #51

The swap will cost between $60 & $80[1]. [1] http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/21/us-tesla-swap-idUS...

I imagine this is to help cover the cost of implementing the systems. Still cheaper than gas -- would be silly of them to offer it free -- no need to yet, until / if they need or want to increase demand of Tesla vehicles; However they need to ramp up supply first.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#103

Post by JoeAltmaier »

calinet6 wrote: post #72
JoeAltmaier wrote: post #44

I saw it and wondered "what about dirt"? Dust, gravel, spilled oil, the stray coke can. Rain (yes it does sometimes rain in California). This is a fine stage demo, but really? We're talking enormous sealed electric bombs, swapped out by automated wrench and jack platforms, then a subterranean battery-storage-and-recharge system. The bigger technology than 'doing it at all' is 'keeping it working under environmental c…

Please, you think they haven't thought of those problems? I'm sure it's a sealed system designed for real-world use. Otherwise why would they even create it? You could say the same about the car itself, but that appears to work just fine in the elements.

Generally, doing open-heart surgery on a car requires a clean environment, a careful mechanic, and lots of attention to detail. A subterranean automated wrench platform is a whole 'nother thing.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#104

Post by twism »

quackerhacker wrote: post #27
mtgx wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Elon thinks most cars in production will be all-electric by 2030. I think that's achievable.

I really hope that by 2030, we are utilizing Graphite Super capacitors....with everything I remember reading, it sounds like a miracle material.

I think wireless charging built into parking spots or even long stretches of highways (charging while driving) would be a lot cooler.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#105

Post by joezydeco »

timdorr wrote: post #85
brosephius wrote: post #84

US Cellular has a program where you can bring your phone to any retail store and swap out your battery for a charged one. No need to return to pick up your original. Granted, that's for a $10 battery, but why wouldn't this work for Tesla? Charging an extra fee is fine too - it's the price for convenience, vs waiting for a full charge of your own battery pack.

Because its a $10 battery and people don't often take advantage of the deal, US Cellular is able to easily eat the degradation cost. But on a $40k battery pack, where swapping happens potentially far more often, that cost is too significant to ignore. Hence they're charging a reasonable amount for it.

That $10 battery costs US Cellular $2. A cheap price for some positive P/R and customer retention.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#107

Post by joshmlewis »

On a side note, did you see all the people in the audience taking pictures/videos? This really bugs me nowadays. I used to be like that but then I realize a.) I'll probably never watch this and b.) they are more than likely already capturing this moment and it is guaranteed to be better than my crappy handheld phone video. Same goes for concerts and other events.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#108

Post by gmaslov »

alainbryden wrote: post #97

I wonder if anyone has considered buying a Tesla (free recharges for life), driving home every day and finding a way to discharge the battery back into the grid through their meter to negate their home electricity bill.

This idea might be up there with saving on your electric bill by installing little turbines on all your water faucets.

Re: Battery Swap [video]

#110

Post by forrestthewoods »

JoeAltmaier wrote: post #103
calinet6 wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please, you think they haven't thought of those problems? I'm sure it's a sealed system designed for real-world use. Otherwise why would they even create it? You could say the same about the car itself, but that appears to work just fine in the elements.

Generally, doing open-heart surgery on a car requires a clean environment, a careful mechanic, and lots of attention to detail. A subterranean automated wrench platform is a whole 'nother thing.

There are many words I'd use to describe an auto-shop. Clean is not among them.
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