P.S.–This Sunday morning, March 15, “CBS News Sunday Morning” plans to air my report on A Better Place. It’s software millionaire Shai Agassi’s audacious plan to solve the climate crisis and eliminate our dependence on oil. The crux: Replace all of the world’s automobiles with electric cars that contain swappable batteries. Sound unattainable? Guess what: 5 countries, 3 American states, at least 2 car companies, and armies of investors (over $500 million so far) have already signed on to make it happen.
[From Circuits: An iPod So Small Its Controls Are Found on the Cord]
but but but . . . if the only part of the car we really need to replace is the powerplant and drivetrain (used to be that was the car), why not engineer replacement of that? Those really cool driving wheels with integrated motors and regenerative braking (they use ’em on buses so they’re plenty strong) can handle the propulsion and the engine compartment can house the storage and control stuff. Seriously, I would bet that a few standardized packages, based on wheel and engine compartment size, could be whipped a lot faster and cheaper that redoing an entire car.