After seven years of quiet research and development, EV startup Ample has announced a faster and cheaper approach to delivering energy to electric vehicles (EVs). The company rollout its Modular Battery Swapping technology for electric cars that it claims can deliver a full charge in under 10 minutes, three times faster than charging.
The modular battery pack works with any existing electric vehicles and drastically reduces the cost and time it takes to install EV infrastructure. The system is designed for rapid deployment, making it possible to equip an entire metropolitan area with a ubiquitous network in a matter of weeks while delivering energy at a cost as cheap as gasoline.
A fully-autonomous swapping station removes depleted battery modules from the car and replaces them with fully charged ones. The depleted battery modules are then placed on shelves where they are recharged. The old batteries are recharged for reuse by another vehicle. These are made out of Lego-like modules that can accommodate any vehicle regardless of size or model.
Ample has the additional benefit of being able to capture wind and solar power when it’s available and then dispense that energy to EVs when needed.
Ample’s stations require no construction and can be assembled wherever two parking spots are available. This makes them a convenient solution for a diversity of locations, including grocery stores, gas stations, and highway rest stops.
Ample is currently being deployed regionally in the Bay Area, where the team is actively working with a wide range of ride-sharing, last-mile delivery, and municipal fleet partners. The technology allows them to electrify their fleets without losing any of the economic benefits or convenience of gasoline. The company is also actively working with a number of the world’s largest automakers to enable mass deployment in the US, Europe, and Asia.
