Monday, June 01, 2009
Electric car technology charges ahead
An electric car with a removable battery pack that can be changed in just 45 seconds is being hailed as the next major step towards a zero-emission transport network.
Technology company Better Place and Nissan have worked together to produce the system, which uses robots to automatically remove battery units stored on the underside of electric cars and replace them with fully-charged ones.
Denmark, Israel, Hawaii and San Francisco's Bay Area have agreed to build a network of battery-switching stations, with additional 'plug-in' charging points available at homes and offices. Better Place has also pinpointed London as a potential area for expansion.
As well as a prototype Nissan Qashqai SUV, Renault is soon to produce a saloon car based on the Megane.
Better Place says electricity for the battery packs will only be sourced from green energy providers.
It has received £200 million from backers to develop the technology, with a further £200 million committed by Renault/Nissan to building cars with removable batteries.
DATED: 01.06.09
FEED: AM
