Better Place opened the first battery swap station in Europe

Better Place is pressing ahead with its programme designed to provide coverage and infrastructure for the next generations of electric cars. To this end, it has directed its investment in the matter towards the battery swap system for electric vehicles, called Quick Drop. The idea is that Better Place service stations will swap your car’s battery pack for a previously charged one, in less than 10 minutes, or in the time it takes to have a coffee.

The first step has already been taken. Better Place has just opened the first service station of this type in Europe, located in Denmark, near Copenhagen. By the end of the year there will be around 20 stations similar to this one in Denmark, coinciding with the launch of the Renault Fluence Z.E., under their agreement with Renault, and because it is a vehicle that will already be prepared for quick drops.

The idea of quick drops would greatly ease one of the main drawbacks of electric cars: the charging time needed to refuel the car with electricity. The whole process can be done in a few minutes, with the help of a robotic system that guides the car until it drives back onto the street with a recharged battery, ready to continue on its way.