[rprodriguez]

One of the issues, I firmly believe, that may make or break EVs is the battery pack. Now, it's not the type of battery or the technology behind the battery or even the range the battery provides. I'm talking about standardization. I think car makers should agree on standards governing battery packs for EVs. I'm not saying all packs should be the same size and shape because that would make things even worse. What I'm saying is that they should agree on a set of form factors and interfaces. The reason car makers should adopt this standardization is plain and simple; we all know battery technology is advancing leaps and bounds, so why limit the choices on which batteries to use. I think battery packs should be treated like any other auto part. You can buy upgrade headers for your car to improve performance, made by different manufacturers. In the same way, a car owner who wants to increase performance on his EV, can simply buy an upgrade battery pack (when available) and not be tied to the car manufacturer. This will certainly spark even more innovation in battery tech.

 

[Texas]

If we were going to do the swap-out station idea I would agree with you. However, due to the massive weight and safety issues of these parts I think standardization would hinder development. We are so early in the development stage of BEVs that manufacturers are going to try all kinds of different designs. Just look at the major differences between the Renault Project Better Place car and the Volt. Completely different. One is a swap-out design, the other is meant to last the life of the car. The more variety in the designs the better we will be able to evaluate what works and what doesn't work. Additionally, we should see startling advances in battery technology in the coming years. Why limit the possibility to vastly change the form-factor of the automobile by having out-of-date standards. After things settle down however I think your idea is sound.

 

[hvacman]

After things settle down however I think your idea is sound.

Yeah, when things settle down and stabilize, just like portable digital storage media. 8" floppy to 5-1/4" floppy to 3.5" floppy to CD to DVD to USB thumb drive to...? And that's not to mention the various cartridge tape "standards", data cable "standards", etc.

 

[Texas]

Yeah, when things settle down and stabilize, just like portable digital storage media. 8" floppy to 5-1/4" floppy to 3.5" floppy to CD to DVD to USB thumb drive to...? And that's not to mention the various cartridge tape "standards", data cable "standards", etc.

I was thinking: AA, AAA, C, D, Standard 12 automotive battery, tire sizes, pipe sizes, bolt threads, etc. Sometimes standards work well to drive the price of things down. Agree?

 

[pennor1]

I was thinking: AA, AAA, C, D, Standard 12 automotive battery, tire sizes, pipe sizes, bolt threads, etc. Sometimes standards work well to drive the price of things down. Agree?

Oh I certainly agree that standards would be wonderful. We all know however that in the auto industry there are lots of exisiting standards. That's why the oil filter isle at your local auto parts store takes up 100 liner feet of space.

Yup, standards are a wonderful thing. There are so may to choose from.

 

[Rooster]

Anyone ever hear of NIST?

http://www.nist.gov/

They do just that. For example, if as Texas predicts, automobiles evolve away from hydro-carbon refueling to quick electric recharge, NIST will be the organization to establish the recharge interface standards with industry.

Texas here’s an example of when I agree with you. We are too early in EV evolution to set battery cell standards. Good systems engineering dictates that it’s the major system interfaces that matter. The batteries are merely a box that performs a function. How that box interfaces with the vehicle is key. The actual battery cell size/shape in that box is much less important and will evolve.

 

[Cybereye]

I was thinking: AA, AAA, C, D, Standard 12 automotive battery

I'm not going to disagree with the idea, but I wanted to point out. AA, AAA, C, D, and Standard 12 automotive battery are stuck and have not change the day I was born. These have never been improve at all. I would prefer the idea of a group of technology that make a standards as long it not lock within newer technology. hvacman made a good point of view of that road to this type of standards. It would never be 100% standards, but sub-standards.

 

[My Volt]

Amen to the original post! The idea of changing out when new or better designs are produced is what is needed....