Abstract: Disclosed herein is a service center and method designed to promote the use of a battery-powered, electric vehicle which allows a discharged battery to be easily and quickly replaced in the electric vehicle and then recharged for use in another electric vehicle. The service center and method uses a plurality of universally-adaptable batteries capable of being used in most, if not all, battery-powered, electric vehicles. The batteries are designed to be lifted into or lowered from a battery receiving space formed on the bottom of an electric vehicle. During use, the electric vehicles are driven into a service center. The batteries are unlocked from the vehicle and then conveniently removed and transported to a recharging unit located in the nearby recharging center. A second, recharged battery is then removed from the recharging unit and transported to the electric vehicle. The second battery is then installed and locked in position in the electric vehicle.