Battery swaps key to EV use

New swap stations for depleted batteries will boost EV uptake, says energy research group

Swapping a depleted car battery for a freshly charged one, in a process that takes minutes, is one avenue being explored to ramp up the number of electric cars on UK roads ahead of the government's ban on the sale of new ICE cars from 2030. The battery-as-a-service BaaS) model is touted as a potential solution for range anxiety and could give those without a home charging point a place to quickly gain range, energy research group Cornwall Insight has told Autocar. Cl also said the BaaS model would put less pressure on the charging network which it could complement rather than replace with depleted batteries being recharged at off-peak times. In anew paper created in partnership with law firm Shoosmiths, Cl claimed the model would reduce electric car prices by up to 30%, with the battery paid for as part of a subscription service.

This would make ownership more accessible, according to Cl lead research analyst Matthew Chadwick. He added that the cost of EVs and the lack of charging infrastructure are currently hampering