XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: jclarkeusenet@cox.net   
      
   In article , gossg@gossg.org says...   
   >   
   > "J. Clarke"  wrote:   
   >   
   > >> With the right supporting   
   > >> infrastructure it would be quite simple to swap a dead battery for a   
   > >> fresh one, possibly without even needing to slow down. We could do this   
   > >> today if need be.   
   > >   
   > >Which means that either a battery replacement station has to stock   
   > >hundreds of different sizes and shapes of batteries or all cars will use   
   > >the same size and shape battery.  When all cell phones use the same size   
   > >and shape battery then I'll believe that it's going to happen for cars.   
   >   
   > TV remotes generally take either an AA or AAA battery.   
      
   Standard cells like AA, AAA, C, and D are old technology from a   
   different era.   
      
   > Car 12 volt   
   > batteries are pretty close to interchangable other than GM's "side   
   > post" design, and some rather minor form factor variation.   
      
   You can generally cobble a smaller one to fit the space that held a   
   larger one but not vice versa.  And I had occasion to use a poorly   
   maintained diesel truck over the winter that someone had fitted with the   
   smallest batteries they could find.  The glow plugs ran them flat before   
   they got warm enough for the engine to start.   
      
   > If the   
   > customers ever expect to swap out the part, standardization happens.   
      
   You mean like laptop batteries?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)