Under the national strategy of new energy vehicle development in China, the battery-swapping mode is considered as a new alternative of electric vehicles due to their advantage of quick charge and has been used as taxis in several cities. This study aims to analysis the operation characteristics of battery-swapping electric taxis as well as battery swapping station and evaluate the applicability of battery-swapping electric vehicles being used as taxis. The operation mileage, swap times, electric fee, and efficiency of swapping station are analyzed by the actual operational data of over 300 vehicles and 52 stations in Beijing, Xiamen, and Guangzhou. The results show the battery-swapping mode electric taxis have reached competitive level of efficiency to the traditional fuel taxis. Then polices for the scientific and orderly promotion of the battery-swapping electric taxi are suggested. This research will effectively support the governments and the taxi companies in scientific decision-making when adopting the battery-swapping mode according to their local conditions.

CICTP