Electric vehicles to pay for detroit bailout?

mheslep

The first modern operational battery switching station is open in Tokyo. Looks like a good design to me. It services a 90 day trial run of three taxies running around Tokyo. They are converted Nissan compact SUVs, using batteries made by A123, 17 kWh. Station switches batteries in about one minute.

Promo video showing construction and operation of the station.


Still no word of any US car manufacturer taking an interest in battery switching.

mheslep

Navistar, the parent of International, is manufacturing these FedEx trucks.

Specs:
80 kWh battery, 100 mile range, 102HP, 4400 lb payload, 220 VAC 3 phase charge, 6-8 hours to charge. A123 is making the battery. Cost is $100k greater than a similar diesel truck, but fuel costs may pay for themselves over 10-15 years at ~$8k savings per year in energy costs.
http://gas2.org/2010/05/13/navistar-...l-2-ton-truck/