Tesla Motors Inc has announced that it has developed a system that will let drivers swap out the battery in a Model S in only about 90 seconds, which it will take less time than it takes to fill up a traditional car at the pump.

Like Us on Facebook

According to the Chief Executive of Tesla Motors Inc., Elon Musk, he said "the battery swap, which will cost at least $50, will allow drivers a choice in order to get back on the road faster, a battery pack swap will cost between $60 and $80, about the same as filling up a 15-gallon gas tank. Drivers who choose to swap must reclaim their original battery on their return trip or pay the difference in cost for the new pack," and this system "will help overcome fears about their driving range."

Electric cars have reputations of expensive, limited driving range and lack of a charging infrastructure, and these reasons cause electric cars become not so popular among consumers. Tesla Motors Inc has been working to address some of those problems with fast-charging stations and now with the battery-swapping technology. According to the official statement, "the stations will cost about a half a million dollars each to build. They will be located alongside Tesla's fast-charging stations, which take around 30 minutes to charge the car's battery."

Earlier this week, Musk told Reuters "the battery-replacement network would entail an investment of $50 million to $100 million."

"There are some people, they take a lot of convincing," Musk said at an event at Tesla's Los Angeles design studio. "Hopefully this is what convinces people finally that electric cars are the future."