I know these are currently out of fashion but I’m still thankful they exist.
Let’s remind ourselves of devices that use(d) these standardized batteries:
- Toys
- Digital cameras
- Torches
- Gadgets like fans
- Wireless keyboards
- TV remotes
Thanks to having a standardized system of batteries,
- You can use the same battery across several devices. This is a no brainer but it’s very practical.
- Batteries can charge quicker thanks to being put in a dedicated charger and not being limited by USB cables. (But yes I concede that USB has been updated for faster charging over the years)
- Devices don’t have down time when their battery is charging. To charge, the battery is removed from the device and can immediately be replaced with a fresh one.
- You’ll never have to trash a device due to an expired battery. Just buy a replacement. And building on this…
- Any improvements in future battery technology can be retro-fitted into your existing devices. And there is a high incentive for future improvement, because…
- An accessible (due to easy replacement) and large (due to many devices) battery market is very attractive to competition.
If you look at the pros I listed, they all happen to be things that would be very useful for electric cars. So I think it would aid the adoption of electric cars if their batteries were standardized too.
(Linking for the pictures - not the site)
https://yesapower.en.alibaba.com/product/60802489471-807064733/14_4v_new_auto_cell_ni_mh_6500mah_car_battery_pack_for_honda_civic_2008_hybrid_battery_ima_replacement_hybrid_car_battery.html
If you look at the battery pack, you’ll see that its a large number of C cells bound together into rods and then into a “brick” of a battery that then looks like:
https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/623772/view/honda-insight-battery-pack
You’ll see a similar setup for a Prius (note this is updated from the older ‘prismatic’ modules): https://electronhybridsolution.com/product/toyota-prius-v-2012-2017-hybrid-battery-rebuild-kit-with-brand-new-cylindrical-cells/