On 20/05/2021 00:32, Fredxx wrote:
On 20/05/2021 00:21, Steve Walker wrote:
On 19/05/2021 19:00, GB wrote:
On 19/05/2021 18:16, Steve Walker wrote:

The point is that even if you don't do it often, electric cars
aren't capable of it when needed. I don't want two different cars,
just one to fill all the roles I need it for. For me a plug-in
hybrid would make the best sense. 60 miles range would cater for me
in day to day driving on electric only, almost all the time, but
with the ability to do longer journeys, as and when, at zero notice.

One of the manufacturers was looking at a little trailer with a motor
+ generator that you could hire for long journeys. Or leave in the
garage until needed, so you weren't lugging around a heavy engine
just for a trip around town. It doesn't seem to have caught on.
Maybe, it will.

But would leave you unable to tow a trailer or caravan on long holiday
trips and with lots of problems parking anywhere if needed.

I'd like to know that if I was running low on power on any journey, I
could switch to an included petrol engine if my plans changed.

Alternatively, I would love to have standardised battery packs that
could be exchanged at a "petrol" station, reducing stops to minutes.

I do envisage that sort of system.

Yes. One battery for a small, town car, 2 or more for larger vehicles,
especially going on a long journey. Manufacturers can design how and
where they fit, with details being passed on (or even provided by the
car) for robot arms at the stations to access and change the batteries
at the right angles and so on.

There was a proposal for Tesla along
these lines.

Full charge in 90 seconds:
Â* https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/videos/battery-swap-event

However, that wouldn't allow for say sliding in from the side , going in
at an angle and rotating into position or using multiple smaller packs,
to allow flexibility and optimisation of vehicle design.