A startup called Ample has developed a new modular battery and quick-swap station, and it just deployed the first five in the Bay Area. [credit: Ample ] On Wednesday morning in San Francisco, a startup called Ample launched its new electric vehicle battery-swap technology. The company has designed an extremely small footprint for its swap stations, which only occupy as much ground as a couple standard parking spaces and don't need much in the way of electrical infrastructure.