Tesla's idea of fast charging? Swapping batteries!

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After recently announcing plans to install “Supercharger” stations across the U.S. and Canada, Tesla is now considering a battery swap option that could allow Model S owners to get a fully charged battery pack “faster than you could fill a gas tank.”

Tesla president and CEO Elon Musk tweeted the news earlier this week while inviting fans to follow a live demo on Thursday night.

In most battery-electric vehicles, the battery system is quite complex and space-consuming. Musk claims, however, that the Model S will be modified to make the swap as simple as changing batteries in a flashlight and will cost between $60 and $80.

The idea isn't new, mind you. Nissan worked with an Israeli company, Project Better Place, to develop a similar operation. Unfortunately, the latter sold less than 1,000 vehicles and ran out of business earlier this month.

Source : www.thedetroitbureau.com

Photo: Sébastien D'Amour