Comments on: A123 VP Ric Fulop on Chevy Volt Battery Pack Delivery

By: Jake

Jake — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 08:04:31 +0000

Jim #11 – I don’t think that sentence really means anything bad. I feel like these first prototype battery packs are by their very nature not quite to spec, at least in terms of integration with the rest of the vehicle. The cells may be good, but maybe at this point they are not required to send GM “production-ready” batteries. We’ve still got a ways to go before GM needs a finished product on their production lines. But maybe A123/Continental just want to make the pack as “finished” as possible. I don’t know, food for thought I guess.

I would LOVE more information on the motor. Big, brushless, powerful, efficient…pretty cool stuff. The only parts in the motor that could wear out are the bearings. I somewhat doubt there will be a multiple-speed gearbox. If they just gear the motor right, I would imagine that it will do fine on its own. I think this type of motor tends to have a pretty beastly power band.

By: AES

AES — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:17:27 +0000

Bill-

As far as I know, a lot of GM’s drive train innovations post-EV1 have come about as a part of the fuel cell vehicle program. They’ve stuck with AC induction motors, and have actually avoided gearboxes altogether (except for the differential gears) so as to avoid friction losses.

You can find a picture and details of the fuel cell equinox’s electric motor here:

http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/vehiclereviews/ig/Chevy-Equinox-Fuel-Cell-SUV/Equinox-FCEV-drive-motor.htm

“Power output of the electric motor is a continuous 73 kW (98 horsepower) and 94kW peak (126 horsepower). This arrangement has no gearbox for multiplying motor torque. As the fuel cell pours on the amps, the motor lays on the torque.”

“The AC electric drive motor sits low at the back and bottom of the fuel cell stack. The axle half-shafts connect directly to the motor output shaft and wheels through constant velocity joints. This arrangement affords minimal frictional power losses.”

By: beanieville

beanieville — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 07:15:05 +0000

Awesome car! I think i’ll get two.

http://www.beanieville.blogspot.com

By: bill

bill — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:47 +0000

Lyle, please dig up more details on the drivetrain. Is this car going to have a transmission to keep the electric motor at peak efficiency? How does it connect to power the wheels. I’m most interested in things like this. Thanks.

By: bill

bill — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:56:53 +0000

Could someone point me in the direction of details on the electric motor? I’m surprised this isn’t discussed more. Even on your typical car engine specs are always a hot topic.

By: AES

AES — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:41:12 +0000

Jim-

From the way I read it, that could mean a lot of things. It could mean anything as serious as low capacity, or it could be something totally mundane like being 2mm wider than originally intended.

Regardless, the primary goal of the pack is capacity, and iron phosphate’s theoretical capacity is actually superior to manganese spinel. So if LG Chem can do it, so can Conti/A123.

By: Jim I

Jim I — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:14:25 +0000

Isn’t anyone else concerned with this part of the posting?

“…their plan is to provide packs that are as close as possible to the production intent design.”

That sounds to me like the A123 pack is not up to spec. Or am I mis-reading this?

By: LyleL

LyleL — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 03:33:11 +0000

“The following is a guess post by Dr. Lyle Dennis of GM-Volt.com, a text book example of a blogger turning a passion into a money making venture.”

http://www.johnchow.com/gm-voltcom-making-money-by-blogging-about-your-passion/

By: talksabcd

talksabcd — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:19:27 +0000

Search for ‘Compact’ after opening the above doc

http://www.uscar.org
/commands/files_download.php?files_id=120

By: talksabcd

talksabcd — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:15:48 +0000

Is there anything wrong with LG Chem ? why are they hiding cycle life for EV.
Its not even mentioned in their website nor anywhere in the articles. But they are publicly
declaring the cycle life for HEV which is around 400000 cycles but not for EV.

So I am just skeptical about LG Chem. Even in the interview with CPI taken by lyle, they have not
answered the question on cycle life but clearly mentioned that calendar life will be 15 years.
Are they trying to avoid the facts that are not up to the mark ?