The limitations imposed on the electric car by the present battery technology (as described in "All charged up and nowhere to go", 3 December), could be overcome if a more systemic approach were to be made to the design of the car and its energy supply system. Instead of making the batteries an integral part of the car and recharging them on board, it would seem more sensible to make them easily replaceable on filling station forecourts. Payment would be for the net electric charge received.
Suitable battery handling equipment could make battery replacement as speedy as refilling a fuel tank. Recharging could be confined to off-peak times and could be carried out more safely and cheaply at filling stations than at home. Battery exchange could be made at unmanned sites, all round the clock; something not really practical with liquid or gaseous fuels.
To obtain the full economic benefits ...
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