Probably the same reason why smartphone battery is not swappable. For various reason we don't have swappable smartphone battery even though it is technically much easier problem to solve.
It’s also a more complex and expensive. Swapping cellphone batteries means you need to own another battery which few people did once capacity increased. With cellphones people that want a swappable battery can just get an external battery pack but most people can simply recharge daily.
> Swapping cellphone batteries means you need to own another battery which few people did once capacity increased.
That doesn't make sense to me. Sure, maybe you can't get an OEM battery, but I've owned cell phones in the last 5 years that I easily swapped out the old battery with an aftermarket battery for about $12. I think people have the ability to buy batteries.
> With cellphones people that want a swappable battery can just get an external battery pack but most people can simply recharge daily.
My OG Pixel phone is on its last legs in terms of battery capacity, which means it will probably get scrapped(even if I trade it in somehow or get it "recycled"). I would have swapped the battery with a new one, but I don't have that option. At least without risking damaging the phone on disassembly. Recharging daily isn't a solution because it runs out of power in about 5 hours without even using it.
Hmmm... is this not also an option with an electric car? A "long distance" battery pack trailer of some sort? Lose some sleekness, but gain a ton in utility, and storage space for those long trips.
In theory we should be able to have external battery packs for electric cars, but I think the power density would have to about double before that happens. How many miles can you fit in a 30 lbs battery right now? Not very many.
I think that gets you about 10 miles in a Tesla. If it got you 20 miles it might be worth building a few slots into the trunk for extended range.
It depends on the smartphone, there are still (very few) around that have one.
Beside the possible "planned obsolescence", I believe that the change was mostly because of waterproof or almost waterproof design, and (IMHO senseless) "let's make it thinner".
