For decades, we would open up a device and replace the batteries when it was low. AA, C, D, 9 volts, many of the world’s electronics that didn’t plug directly into a wall outlet required a disposable battery. Then rechargeable batteries came along and you could swap out the dead batteries for charged ones and you were good to go.

For many, that’s where EVs should or could go at some point. Why charge a car when, like an 80s Walkman, you can just swap out the battery? The reason that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon for cars, trucks, and SUVs is that it’s complicated, really, really complicated.

In 2015, Taiwanese company Gogoro launched its first scooter. But more importantly, it launched its Gogoro Energy Network. The series of battery stations placed around Taipei City became not only an intricate part of the Gogoro scooter, but also the heart of the company itself. Each station contained batteries that could be swapped into a scooter. The rider would drive to the scooter, remove the dead battery, replace it with a fully charged battery, and be on his way again.

Riders would pay a monthly subscription for the service, in addition to the cost of the scooter. As the user base grew, the network grew. The company had done away with range and charging anxiety. Plus, the business model meant that Gogoro would make money over the life of the vehicle. It would be like Ford selling a car that ran on Ford gasoline.