Comments on: What are the Specifics of GM’s Volt Battery Contracts?

By: noel park

noel park — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:55:33 +0000

Dave G, #23:

It’s a fascinating concept though. Maybe 5 or 10 years down the road.

By: noel park

noel park — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:54:10 +0000

Dave G, #23:

Actually, that suits me fine. As I said about the solar power discussion in the post above, let’s KISS, get a viable car on the road, and worry about all of this other neat stuff later.

Actually, I think that GM folks have said much the same in one or more of Lyle’s interviews. Absolutely right, and let’s get going. If I want a solar roof, or V2G capability, I can wait for the next generation and then trade up.

By: Mark H

Mark H — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:25:30 +0000

If they are able to use both companies batteries in order to keep up with production and demand I doubt that “you” will be able to tell which one you have by looking at them or their serial #.The software and hardware will keep them functioning identically for some years to come.Only longevity will separate the two for the most of us and if both are coverd by a good long warranty then we should all be happy for years until we find out which one was better in the end.

By: Dave G

Dave G — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:47:42 +0000

LyleL #8,
noel park #9 & #20,
Jeff M, #17,

The Volt will not support V2G. (period)

This has been stated very clearly in one of Lyle’s 6 Q&A sessions with GM. Some future E-Flex car may support V2G, but the Volt that we are discussing in this forum will not.

Specifically, the battery charger that is built into the Volt works in only one direction, from the grid to the battery. To support electricity flowing from the battery to the grid, you would need an additional circuit called “Grid-Tie Inverter”. The Volt will not have this circuit

So all this talk about voiding Volt warranties with V2G does not apply, since the Volt will not be capable of supporting V2G.

By: Firefly

Firefly — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:41:44 +0000

I agree with the post that was left by ohmExited. I feel that it will not really matter whether GM picks one or the other. In my honest opinion, considering production rates I would not be surprised if GM bought battery packs from both for a while. After all, it’s no secret that on occasion some of their V6 gas engines were built in Tonowanda and others in Romulus. But in the end, despite 2 seperate engine plants they all went in the same vehicles. I think what will happen is that the battery pack manufacturers will have benchmarks for operation parameters that they will have to meet (capacity, range, efficiency, lifespan, natural discharge, arcing, etc.) In the end, as long as both manufacturers meet production requirements, the possibility for such exists. There may not ever be a “better battery pack” scenario from the factory but perhaps in an aftermarket setting when the increase in technology comes to pass. For now, if both meet requirements for testing in order to get this project off the ground and functioning as GM says they will, I really don’t care which one it is (or both, if necessary…)