Electric vehicles (EVs) with fixed battery packs face major drawbacks: high manufacturing costs, long charging times, limited grid capacity at charging stations, battery degradation over time, and inconvenient recharging for fleet users or long-distance drivers. Existing swappable battery solutions have failed to gain traction due to complexity, safety concerns, cost, and lack of standardization.
The
Solution
This invention introduces a universal swappable battery system called UNiBat, designed to be easily swapped, safely operated, and affordably mass-produced. The system includes a smart, portable battery and a simple battery compartment built into the underside of EVs. Batteries can be charged off-site and delivered—just like fuel—eliminating reliance on charging stations and local power grids.
The
Inventive Step
What sets UNiBat apart is its modular, cylindrical battery design with integrated cooling, smart battery management (BMS), and power conversion. The battery uses a mix of high- and low-heat Li-ion cells arranged for optimized performance and heat dissipation. Each module is encased in fire-resistant, shock-absorbing cork—an innovative material choice. The battery compartment uses simple mechanical systems to load/unload batteries without complex robotics.
Benefits
- Instant “refueling” by swapping batteries—no waiting to charge
- Reduced EV cost (no permanent battery pack)
- Lower maintenance (battery degradation is not the owner’s problem)
- Flexible ownership models (buy, rent, or pay-per-use batteries)
- Grid-friendly energy distribution (batteries charged off-site)
- Modular range (users load only the batteries they need)
Broader
Impact
UNiBat can revolutionize EV adoption by lowering entry costs, boosting convenience, and easing pressure on the energy grid. It also opens the door for new EV manufacturers and supports industries needing mobile power (e.g., construction, logistics). This flexible, standardized system could drive mass electrification, reduce emissions, and create scalable, sustainable energy solutions worldwide.