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Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ / Re: FXS 3.6 Modularity?
« on: October 09, 2019, 04:39:59 AM »
First post for me, too! I have to remove both 2.8kWh batteries nearly every day for charging.
The grocery analogy is a good one - it's become a mindless, rote task to carry in the batteries. I live in an apartment, and there's really no other alternative BUT to have removable batteries. The moment you plug into a "commons-area" outlet, you'll hear the distant screeching noise of a landlord on an intercept course, lease violation letter in-hand. If you can use their pre-paid Level 2 station, different story. Otherwise, I don't see how I could make fixed batteries work in an apartment setting, besides renting an overpriced garage.
I charge at work, mostly. There's a dolly by the door which I use to wheel in both batteries. I carry a QuiQ charger in my backpack, and charge them one-at-a-time at my desk. The fruit of this labor is that I commute [nearly] for free, and have for the last year and a half. It ain't much, but it's honest work. All this to say, there are GOOD reasons to have removable batteries, besides the hot-swapping requirement for police, military, or dirt bike races.
One more thing I like about modular: it soothed the range anxiety I had when I was guessing whether 5.7kWh was enough. With a QuiQ charger in my backpack, I can pop them out and charge at my destination. Or worst case I pull off and have an early dinner next to one of my charging batteries, leaving an extra $0.50 in the tip. I've done it, and it sucks. But it sucks less than a tow truck.
The grocery analogy is a good one - it's become a mindless, rote task to carry in the batteries. I live in an apartment, and there's really no other alternative BUT to have removable batteries. The moment you plug into a "commons-area" outlet, you'll hear the distant screeching noise of a landlord on an intercept course, lease violation letter in-hand. If you can use their pre-paid Level 2 station, different story. Otherwise, I don't see how I could make fixed batteries work in an apartment setting, besides renting an overpriced garage.
I charge at work, mostly. There's a dolly by the door which I use to wheel in both batteries. I carry a QuiQ charger in my backpack, and charge them one-at-a-time at my desk. The fruit of this labor is that I commute [nearly] for free, and have for the last year and a half. It ain't much, but it's honest work. All this to say, there are GOOD reasons to have removable batteries, besides the hot-swapping requirement for police, military, or dirt bike races.
One more thing I like about modular: it soothed the range anxiety I had when I was guessing whether 5.7kWh was enough. With a QuiQ charger in my backpack, I can pop them out and charge at my destination. Or worst case I pull off and have an early dinner next to one of my charging batteries, leaving an extra $0.50 in the tip. I've done it, and it sucks. But it sucks less than a tow truck.