Electric Mobility: Analyzing the Role of Battery Swap Stations in Addressing Range Anxiety and Grid Impact

Over the past decade, addressing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has become crucial, with the transport sector being a major contributor due to fossil fuel reliance, particularly in urban areas. In response, European countries are promoting a shift to greener alternatives, focusing on Electric Vehicles (EVs) and developing necessary infrastructure. Battery Swap Stations (BSS) provide an innovative solution for addressing concerns linked to conventional charging infrastructure. This includes reducing charging times and mitigating range anxiety. Furthermore, BSSs effectively handle and store battery packs, optimizing energy utilization and improving grid stability via bidirectional interaction with the electrical grid. The installation of a BSS in an Low Voltage (LV) feeder increases the host capacity by introducing a flexible load capable of absorbing power if requested and possibly inverting the power flow. This study aims to offer a comprehensive insight into how BSSs facilitate the transition to electric mobility, addressing user apprehensions and promoting environmentally-friendly urban transport infrastructure while bolstering grid capabilities. This paper assesses the effects of BSSs on reducing range anxiety, enhancing EV user satisfaction, and improving local grid stability and hosting capacity. The first part offers a vision of this new technology, followed by an analysis of the impacts that the introduction of BSS may have on an electric car-sharing fleet and their impact on the grid.