Comments on: If the Volt’s Cost is About the Batteries, How Much Do the Batteries Cost? http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/ Real-time news, information, and discussion about the Chevrolet Volt. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:07:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Michael Smith http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-40600 Michael Smith Wed, 14 May 2008 11:51:24 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-40600 Sorry, I am a little new to this. but I have a question you could possibly help me with. The article says that "gasoline holds around 4,000 W-hr/kg, or 25 times the energy per unit weight." does this include the weight of the engine needed power the car? Doesn't the electric car close the gap up in total weight of the automobile? Sorry, I am a little new to this. but I have a question you could possibly help me with. The article says that “gasoline holds around 4,000 W-hr/kg, or 25 times the energy per unit weight.” does this include the weight of the engine needed power the car? Doesn’t the electric car close the gap up in total weight of the automobile?

]]> By: wgc http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39965 wgc Fri, 09 May 2008 01:14:34 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39965 While the battery issues are important, it is useful to consider that a whole new powertrain concept (at least for everyday domestic cars) is being used in the Volt. I am interested in seeing how the exclusively electric motor concept works out. I would consider a rated 20 mile range Volt at a significantly lower price to be something worth looking at, although the battery longevity issues would need to be considered. The ability to take long trips made possible by the on-board gasoline powered generator is what makes the Volt something that may be viable. Really, it is more than a plug-in hybrid, since there is not direct power generation from gasoline. It really is an electric vehicle with supplemental power generation. That makes this idea even more significant, although I wonder if Toyota is considering converting the Prius to the same format by replacing the gasoline engine with a generator like the Volt. While the battery issues are important, it is useful to consider that a whole new powertrain concept (at least for everyday domestic cars) is being used in the Volt. I am interested in seeing how the exclusively electric motor concept works out. I would consider a rated 20 mile range Volt at a significantly lower price to be something worth looking at, although the battery longevity issues would need to be considered. The ability to take long trips made possible by the on-board gasoline powered generator is what makes the Volt something that may be viable.

Really, it is more than a plug-in hybrid, since there is not direct power generation from gasoline. It really is an electric vehicle with supplemental power generation. That makes this idea even more significant, although I wonder if Toyota is considering converting the Prius to the same format by replacing the gasoline engine with a generator like the Volt.

]]> By: Whistleteeth http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39950 Whistleteeth Thu, 08 May 2008 22:13:15 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39950 $30~$40,000? Not a problem in California. Sorry to the rest of you folks in the "fly overs" but that won't impeed sales out here. $40k and not buy gas??? no sweat- sign me up! $30~$40,000? Not a problem in California. Sorry to the rest of you folks in the “fly overs” but that won’t impeed sales out here. $40k and not buy gas??? no sweat- sign me up!

]]> By: doggydogworld http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39821 doggydogworld Wed, 07 May 2008 23:04:21 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39821 #80 Tom K - $3400 is USABC goal which A123 may or may not be able to meet. #80 Tom K – $3400 is USABC goal which A123 may or may not be able to meet.

]]> By: Tom K http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39667 Tom K Tue, 06 May 2008 23:02:37 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39667 Today Green Car Congress posted this info about A123 that indicates the production price of a 40 mile battery is $3,400 at 100,000 units per year: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/05/usabc-finalizes.html. --Tom Today Green Car Congress posted this info about A123 that indicates the production price of a 40 mile battery is $3,400 at 100,000 units per year: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/05/usabc-finalizes.html.
–Tom

]]> By: Dave Austin http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39650 Dave Austin Tue, 06 May 2008 20:45:54 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39650 Sheesh, people the payback will occur within about 5 years of purchase if you spend $200/mo in gas. After that you'll have the battery paid off and be spending $20/mo on traveling. If you use if for just 5 years it's still an investment that puts $ in your pocket. Do the math. Sheesh, people the payback will occur within about 5 years of purchase if you spend $200/mo in gas.

After that you’ll have the battery paid off and be spending $20/mo on traveling.

If you use if for just 5 years it’s still an investment that puts $ in your pocket. Do the math.

]]> By: Michael Roberts http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39470 Michael Roberts Mon, 05 May 2008 14:38:35 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39470 It seems to me that if batteries are in short supply and both pack makers meet the specs then GM should use batteries from both suppliers to increase supply and reduce the risk of one pack having problems. If one turned out to have problems down the road they could switch over to the other. Mike R. Huntsville, AL. It seems to me that if batteries are in short supply and both pack makers meet the specs then GM should use batteries from both suppliers to increase supply and reduce the risk of one pack having problems. If one turned out to have problems down the road they could switch over to the other.

Mike R.
Huntsville, AL.

]]> By: noel park http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39253 noel park Fri, 02 May 2008 22:15:57 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39253 #74 N Riley: I agree. The mileage of the Aveo and the Cobalt are really weak next to their competition. On the other hand, our Impala looks pretty darn good after almost 13 years and 120K miles, and it runs as well as it did new. The fit and finish and the paint quality may not be quite up to Japanese standards, but the SS has a ton of street cred in Socal, so that makes up for a lot. It will be tough to part with it, but 15 mpg is just not going to get it much longer. My 2000 S-10 just turned over 200K. It has had 1 clutch, 3 sets of tires, 3 sets of brake pads and 1 water pump. Not too bad, to give Chevy its due. It gets 25 mpg, every single tank, about half highway and half city. Not great, but not too bad. So it's not hopeless by any means but you are dead right on the mileage. It has to get a lot better, or game over. #74 N Riley:

I agree. The mileage of the Aveo and the Cobalt are really weak next to their competition. On the other hand, our Impala looks pretty darn good after almost 13 years and 120K miles, and it runs as well as it did new. The fit and finish and the paint quality may not be quite up to Japanese standards, but the SS has a ton of street cred in Socal, so that makes up for a lot. It will be tough to part with it, but 15 mpg is just not going to get it much longer.

My 2000 S-10 just turned over 200K. It has had 1 clutch, 3 sets of tires, 3 sets of brake pads and 1 water pump. Not too bad, to give Chevy its due. It gets 25 mpg, every single tank, about half highway and half city. Not great, but not too bad.

So it’s not hopeless by any means but you are dead right on the mileage. It has to get a lot better, or game over.

]]> By: N Riley http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39248 N Riley Fri, 02 May 2008 20:51:18 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39248 Noel Park I would buy Chevrolet over almost any other if they could offer me what I want. In the mid 90's I had to start buying Honda and Nissan because of quality. I know GM's quality is much better now, but their mileage is terrible, just like Ford and Chrysler. I would settle for a little less quality as long as I got great mileage and a car that would stand up to 250,000 miles. The quality that I don't mind giving up is looks on the outside and the interior. Noel Park

I would buy Chevrolet over almost any other if they could offer me what I want. In the mid 90’s I had to start buying Honda and Nissan because of quality. I know GM’s quality is much better now, but their mileage is terrible, just like Ford and Chrysler.

I would settle for a little less quality as long as I got great mileage and a car that would stand up to 250,000 miles. The quality that I don’t mind giving up is looks on the outside and the interior.

]]> By: Statik http://gm-volt.com/2008/05/01/if-the-volts-cost-is-about-the-batteries-how-much-do-the-batteries-cost/#comment-39247 Statik Fri, 02 May 2008 20:38:35 +0000 http://gm-volt.com/?p=1042#comment-39247 #63 Tex Your retort is full of conjecture and hyperbole. Valid retorts are always welcome and I can conceed mistakes from time to time, but your post is well...it speaks for itself. $15 gas in 2014. Quite a leap 1/10th size batteries for $500. Great. 2016 - $10,000 fee for fossil burning vehiles. Wow. Nice touch mispelling my name. Classy. #63 Tex

Your retort is full of conjecture and hyperbole. Valid retorts are always welcome and I can conceed mistakes from time to time, but your post is well…it speaks for itself.

$15 gas in 2014. Quite a leap
1/10th size batteries for $500. Great.
2016 – $10,000 fee for fossil burning vehiles. Wow.

Nice touch mispelling my name. Classy.

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