Where we need to be

We need to eventually have battery recharging stations at least as common as gasoline stations are today. Regardless of what system we use, the basic idea is that electric cars need to become about as convenient as gasoline-powered cars are today. Another point of importance is that we need infrastructure that matches the vehicles being produced. This means either choosing one technology over the other or supporting two different technologies, much in the same way today's gas stations sell both gasoline and diesel fuel. Similarly, we could see a system where there are battery swap stations with rapid recharging technologies.

If we go with a plug-in system, we will need to have solved the rapid charging problem in a cost-effective way. We will also need to have a system for charging car owners for the energy they are using. This could be through a parking meter sort of a system or through a unique identifier that charges you monthly, potentially even connecting with your home utility bill. This will mean that anywhere you are parked for an extended period of time, like while at work or while shopping, you should be able to recharge your electric car. In addition, there would be rapid recharging systems along highways for quickly recharging part way through a long trip. This system would also involve making electrical vehicles a part of a Smart Grid Storage solution.

If, on the other hand, removable battery packs become popular, we will need to have battery swap station that are at least as prevalent as gas stations are today. You will refill your electrical storage just as you would refill your gasoline tank in the cars we are driving today. There would still be charging spots at homes and in parking lots, but this would replace the need for rapid charging systems. The technology is there to do this, it is simply a matter getting the cars and infrastructure built.

Either way, we need to have a system in place to extend the range of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles we will see coming out in the next few year. We will also need to eventually have infrastructure in place that allows us to drop the gasoline engine and move to fully electric vehicles, eliminating greenhouse gases from tailpipe emissions of hundreds of millions of cars and light trucks.