Is the price difference between Western and China-based battery energy storage systems growing?

A battery developer, speaking anonymously, told Energy-Storage.news that the price difference between Western and China-based battery energy storage system (BESS) integrators has grown this year.

Can an electric car use a battery swapping station in China?

An electric vehicle has to be equipped with the right technology in order to use a battery swapping station, and not many EV models around the world currently allow for swapping. Conversely, an electric car can use any charging station in China because all use a common plug, and fast-charging technology is reducing the time for a recharge.

Could a battery swap help with EV cost?

Swapping could help with EV cost — currently a barrier to adoption for many — because a driver wouldn’t necessarily own the most expensive part of an EV: the battery. Greg Less, director of the University of Michigan Battery Lab, said with proper framing and education, people might like the idea of battery swapping.

Should EV batteries be standardized?

Different automakers put different batteries in their various EV models, so a station would need all of those available if the industry didn’t agree to a standardized battery, and not all of those models are out yet in volume. This is something that really needs scale.