If we had a standard for the physical size of batteries, the electrical connectors, the voltages, and the data signals, then this would not be a problem.
Here's a made-up example:
• A standard battery should be 28 inches by 18 inches by 6 inches. The battery screws in with 4x 12mm bolts at the corners.
• The voltage across 2 terminals can vary between 200 V and 400 V DC, but one battery can function in a smaller range (e.g., 250 V to 400 V.)
• Signaling is done by a variant of CANBUS tunneled through Ethernet using automotive Cat 6 connectors.
• Multiple batteries can be connected in series, even if they have different battery chemistries.
• It is OK to have a battery or capacitor bank connected into the terminals through DC/DC converters. This allows capacitor banks to be used efficiently.
• Each battery is responsible for disconnecting itself from the voltage bus if it senses a wrong voltage or current. That means if a charged battery is plugged into a vehicle with a discharged battery in it, there is no arcing. The new battery stays disconnected until the 2 batteries are close enough in voltage to let them safely connect in parallel.
A standard for battery busses would make it much easier to build electric cars because there would be no need to reinvent the battery pack for every new car.
A standard for batteries would facilitate competition and lower the cost if building, buying, and maintaining EVs.
Here's a made-up example: • A standard battery should be 28 inches by 18 inches by 6 inches. The battery screws in with 4x 12mm bolts at the corners. • The voltage across 2 terminals can vary between 200 V and 400 V DC, but one battery can function in a smaller range (e.g., 250 V to 400 V.) • Signaling is done by a variant of CANBUS tunneled through Ethernet using automotive Cat 6 connectors. • Multiple batteries can be connected in series, even if they have different battery chemistries. • It is OK to have a battery or capacitor bank connected into the terminals through DC/DC converters. This allows capacitor banks to be used efficiently. • Each battery is responsible for disconnecting itself from the voltage bus if it senses a wrong voltage or current. That means if a charged battery is plugged into a vehicle with a discharged battery in it, there is no arcing. The new battery stays disconnected until the 2 batteries are close enough in voltage to let them safely connect in parallel.
A standard for battery busses would make it much easier to build electric cars because there would be no need to reinvent the battery pack for every new car.
A standard for batteries would facilitate competition and lower the cost if building, buying, and maintaining EVs.