On Thu, 20 May 2021 01:04:45 +0100, Steve Walker
wrote:

snip

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.

Funnily enough, that's exactly what I wrote in my HND project over 40
years ago where a modularised pack would be swapped out from below by
a suitably equipped / designed 'Battery Station'.

You pull up over a bay (wheels guided by rails so you can't drive into
it, like in a car wash), the vehicle locked into position and
disabled, existing battery supported, released and lowered sub
terrain, charged battery slid into place onto lift, lifted, re-fitted,
enabled, vehicle released and they drive out. The whole process would
be automated etc (like a car wash).

A small range of modular packs covering most vehicles that have the
feature (not all need to).

If a fully charged battery suitable for your car isn't available at
that station it tells you so as you drive in (ANPR, but nowdays could
be 'live' and on your GPS).

Mobile units to do the same for people that get caught out for some
reason (on the same lines as current roadside breakdown services) or
at a straight 'paid for / call out' service.

Look how all the Just Eat / Deliveroo / Uber Eats / Home delivery (and
Uber itself) companies have expanded / reacted to the pandemic.

And us RC electric car / boat / plane / helecopter and full size
vehicle racers have been changing battery packs between runs / races
for years ... ;-)

Cheers, T i m