Battery exchange, where a discharged battery module(s) is replaced in seconds with a fully charged one, is discussed. This paper shows that the only way for electric vehicles to be available now for use by the California driver is with a battery exchange system. The battery powered car with an integrated battery will have a battery weighing nearly eight times that of the battery exchange car. The battery exchange standard module's external configuration would allow for future battery types thereby avoiding obsolescence. Module standardization would allow for competition between battery types and/or manufacturers yet still provide substantial advantages for the consumer. As battery technology develops, better vehicle batteries will be simply exchanged for old versions and provide increased range and/or performance. This paper explores the relationships between operating costs, battery size and weight and the socio-economic advantages of battery exchange. The authors focus on the California drivers' car needs, because this particular area has grown around the concept of personal vehicle ownership. However most of the concepts apply to any industrialized country or area. >