User replaceable/upgradeable battery?

[Fattdogs]

I know it won't be as easy to modify as say the backseats/panels. But the one feature that would make me keep an EV forever would be being able to replace the battery pack reasonably easy in a garage maybe with some help.

I'm curious how complex this would be on the slate

 

[zipn]

Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?

 

[Fattdogs]

You'd need training on handling the high voltage battery so as to not electrocute yourself. Have understanding of how to disconnect the battery cooling system, then reconnect the cooling system and bleed it free of air, which may require special equipment. And devise an apparatus to lift the battery out-of and in-to place. And then pay shipping to deliver the battery to you and take away the used battery. Again, specialized transport due to the high voltage risks.

For liability purposes, I doubt SLATE will publish the DIY instructions.

I'm not saying that they should publish DIY instructions, but that the engineering behind it would be more user conscious. Unlike say Tesla where you have to rip out the entire interior to get to the batteries.

There's also quick disconnects for wiring and no leak quick disconnects for cooling lines.

 

[Fattdogs]

Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?

Heck, if there was battery extenders to just throw in the bed, I'd use those for longer road trips

 

[mikell]

Can you charge it at home? Simply?

 

[MiketheCarGeek]

Would be nice if the battery was in smaller cells and expandable in ~50 kWh chunks. Add 1,2,3 or even 4 to expand the range.
Anyone know if the batteries are actively cooled/heated?

According to The Verge article by Tim Stevens, the Extended Range Battery is not a different Pack, it is an Add-On (additional) Pack. So they add a 2nd Pack.
Slate would not allow DIY High Voltage work, but every else thus far is fair game.

 

[Cody]

I'm not saying that they should publish DIY instructions, but that the engineering behind it would be more user conscious. Unlike say Tesla where you have to rip out the entire interior to get to the batteries.

There's also quick disconnects for wiring and no leak quick disconnects for cooling lines.

It's possible. For example, the Mach-E battery is a relatively easy to drop / replace. Here's instructions:

 

[zipn]

There's already swappable batteries in China - drive up, swap out in a few minutes, drive off. It's technically possible to have a plug and play battery pack.

 

[Fattdogs]

Want to calculate how heavy a 30kWh battery weighs 🤣🤣🤣

Around 800 pounds. That's not just getting thrown into the bed for times extended range is needed.

Just gotta have to start hitting the gym! I got 18 months for those gains

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

There's already swappable batteries in China - drive up, swap out in a few minutes, drive off. It's technically possible to have a plug and play battery pack.

Elon had promised this with the initial release of what became the Tesla P85 (the option was supposed to be the "ultimate quick charge" with a promised 15 minute execution time) - never happened AFAIK.

 

[cvollers]

According to The Verge article by Tim Stevens, the Extended Range Battery is not a different Pack, it is an Add-On (additional) Pack. So they add a 2nd Pack.
Slate would not allow DIY High Voltage work, but every else thus far is fair game.

Agreed. The potential litigation associated with high voltage DIY accidents could kill this low margin company. I suspect the OEM battery will easily last 10 years. Maybe the rest of the vehicle will last that long too…