This is a particular concern in Australia. It’s geographically large, and the nascent network of charging stations is, like the population, heavily clustered in the narrow band between the east coast of the country and the Great Dividing Range. Battery tech is always advancing, and there is a better network of charging stations being built, but for now battery range is a definite concern for people.

All of which makes the the news this week that the US Patent & Trademark Office approved a patent for the delivery by drone of a charge for an electric vehicle. Yes, it’s only a patent, and it may not result in an actual product or service.

This brings to mind Amazon’s 2016 patent to build a system of ‘perches’ to dock and charge the drones themselves. As a matter of fact, these two Amazon patents could work well in tandem – perch, charge itself, and be ready to deliver a charge to electric vehicles across a wide network.