What is Capacitor?Capacitor is a resource used by vehicles to activate fitted modules. Without capacitor, vehicles can't use modules. A vehicle's capacitor slowly recharges over time, and is required for all non-basic functionality. A vehicle can move itself and aim its turrets without capacitor, but turrets can't be fired, and modules can't be activated.
Why Have Capacitor?Capacitor is a great mechanic because of its versatility. Say CCP wants to make a vehicle very good at hit-and-run attacks, but poor for sustained operation. Simple! Just give the vehicle large capacitor banks, but a slow recharge rate. Now it has no problems using lots of modules for short periods of time, but it won't be able to sustain that for long. It has to retreat and recuperate before it's able to get back into the action.
How is this different from how vehicles are now? Well, it's different in quite a few ways, actually. For one, the current system is a bit more exploitable. Cooldowns are not the best way to balance a module, and by stacking modules you can avoid the cooldown period entirely. Secondly, it also allows you to design a vehicle for sustained operation, if you wanted. Just give it small capacitor banks, but a fast recharge rate. The small capacitor banks prevent the vehicle from using modules too extensively, but the fast recharge rate lets them use those modules for long periods of time without issue.
What Would This Change?That depends on CCP. In general, it should improve the quality of play by alleviating some balance issues inherent with the idea of exclusively cooldown-balanced modules. And in the future, if CCP decides they want vehicles that are good for sustained operation as well, they'll be able to add them without radically changing vehicle design again. Additionally, it should make vehicle operation less of a hassle, as you no longer have to manage cooldowns and other such nonsense.
Capacitor RechargersA high-slot module that increases capacitor recharge rate. Passive.
Capacitor BoostersA high-slot module that injects a quick boost of capacitor. Active, has a cooldown (I had no choice!).
Capacitor BatteryA high-slot module that increases capacitor capacity. Passive.
Energy NeutralizersA high-slot module that severely neutralizes the enemy's capacitor. Active.
NosferatusA high-slot module that steals the enemy's capacitor. Active.
Energy Transfer ArraysA high-slot module that transfers capacitor to a friendly vehicle. Active.
Part 1 - Capacitor <--- You Are Here
Part 2 - Electronic WarfarePart 3 - TurretsPart 4 - LAVs (Coming Soon)