Study: Swappable batteries instead of charging can push electromobility

Swappable battery systems are hardly widespread in Germany. Could they push electromobility in this country? Researchers from the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) and RWTH Aachen University have carried out a well-founded comparative analysis for the first time. The conclusion: swappable batteries can be more resource-efficient than fully integrated batteries and increase user acceptance of e-mobility, but their establishment requires high initial investment and the standardization of various components. The study, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), systematically compared economic and ecological factors.

For the study which was published in German, the researchers conducted a survey of around 2,000 people on user acceptance and interviews with fleet operators. They also analyzed how a switch to swappable batteries would affect battery design, vehicle construction and infrastructure development.

Swappable batteries with high potential

From the user's point of view, various barriers to electromobility, such as range anxiety, can be reduced by using swappable batteries. In environmental terms, swappable batteries cause similar emissions and resource consumption as fully integrated batteries. Although additional batteries have to be kept in stock for the swappable battery system, the charging process is less stressful for the battery. At the same time, fewer resources are required to set up the charging infrastructure. “Swappable batteries also offer the potential to provide system services in the power grid and can save emissions and resource requirements if batteries of different sizes are used depending on mobility requirements,” says Jan Wiesenthal, who led the IÖW sub-project.

One of the economic advantages of swappable batteries is that the purchase costs for electric cars can be significantly reduced if the battery is leased and not purchased as a permanent part of the car. Swappable battery stations could also use the current petrol station infrastructure for their operation and the regional added value in this area could be maintained.

Initial investment and standardization as the biggest obstacles

The new system requires considerable investment in charging stations in order to create an attractive and area-wide offer for users. In addition, standards must be introduced for batteries, vehicle design and swapping mechanisms that enable brand-independent swapping. At the same time, rapid advances in battery technology could reduce the importance of swappable batteries in the future.

Political support could facilitate market ramp-up

Swappable batteries could therefore make a contribution to the transformation of transportation, particularly from the user's point of view, but also ecologically and economically. A task force initiated by the government could build on these findings and facilitate the implementation of measures to support a successful market launch.

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More information: English summary of the study