Battery swapping is an ideal solution whilst EV batteries still take some time to charge, but it really needs standardisation to take off. Problem is the race is still on between manufacturers to squeeze in that extra bit of capacity and shave minutes off the charging time. Ample is planning to build a battery that fits into existing vehicles, but where the modules can swap out easily (or even upgraded).
The goal with Ample is to convince automakers to make versions of their electric vehicles that have a sort of adapter plate instead of a full battery pack, while everything else stays the same. Then Ample plugs a bunch of battery modules into that adapter. The modules can then be easily swapped at automated battery swap stations, allowing for a much faster “fill-up” that saves time and money.
"John de Souza: I think in the US, we don’t look enough as to what’s happening around the world". While battery swapping may still seem unfamiliar and possibly unfeasible in the US, it’s taking off in China, where startups like Nio have inspired the government there to basically start demanding a national standard.
See Ample raises $160 million on the promise of battery swapping
An idea Tesla and others have tried but abandoned.