San Francisco-based Ample has introduced electrical car battery swapping to the U.S. The firm was in stealth mode for seven years earlier than launching recently with 5 swapping stations within the Bay Area. Uber drivers within the space are Ample’s first prospects.
The idea is not new. A start-up referred to as Better Place launched an EV and battery swapping firm after it raised $850 million in enterprise funding, however it in the end went bankrupt in 2013. Tesla additionally demoed battery swapping in 2013 however solely opened one station for a couple of yr. Elon Musk stated Tesla house owners weren’t excited by it.
Battery swapping is already widespread in China. Electric car maker Nio, for instance, plans to double its community of swapping stations to 500 this yr and plans to open stations in Norway as a part of its enlargement into Europe.
Ample has a unique method, with modular batteries and a deal with fleets. CNBC bought an inside take a look at its headquarters and battery manufacturing unit in San Francisco to learn the way the corporate plans to carry battery swapping into the mainstream.
