Comments on: GM’s Advanced Battery Director Denise Gray is “Keeping Her Eyes on the Future”

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:32:28 +0000

I’d like to be more optimistic about GM’s Volt, but, based on how they handled the EV-1, I’d say the Japanese automakers are going to bury them alive! The problem is that GM is way too ‘entrenched’ with the oil companies to EVER put their customers ahead of conglomerate interests.

The fact that, after the demise of the EV-1, Exxon-Mobile purchased the ONLY Ni-Cad battery company in the U.S. was a bad omen for the future. Then, apparently, GM decided to ‘sole source’ future battery purchases with this company and, now, can’t find suitable ones for the Volt! Gee, what a surprise!

I understand that they went looking for some in the Orient, but soon learned that ALL of the battery companies over there have already signed contracts with the Japanese. And so GM tells us that they’re waiting for the technology to catch up with their demands.

That’s GM-speak for “We blew it – We know it – and we’re going to blow smoke while we figure out what to do!” Good Luck, GM stock holders – you MAY want to sell your stock now rather than wait for it to depreciate any more than its already pathetically-low value!

Sheesh!

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:16:36 +0000

To Dan, # 2,

I always wondered if you have to come up with a Morse law for Battery technology, what would that be?

Ash

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:12:32 +0000

The Volt is a good first start at a massproduced plug in but is only the begining. Think of it as the IBM pc, when they produced one it made them main stream not a toy. I believe, GM will do this with the Volt.

GM have played safe with the electric drive train, by keeping the electric drive train inboard and retained mechanical brakes, rather than use the electric motor as the braking system as well.

The battery technology improvements are moving fast, at computer development speed, 2 year cycle. The Silicon nano wire Li battery seems to be the answer and may give 7 to 10 times the capacity of the carbon Li battery. The Volt will not be using the carbon Li type battery as only last about 3 years and a 1000 cycles.

The better design is the Volvo C30 rechargable, with in wheel motors/brakes and will beat the Volt on packaging and performance.

So the Volt may be first to market but unless GM evolves fast, they will be beaten by better designs.

The indicator of what can be achived is the PMLFlightlink concept car, based on a BMW mini, this can do 400miles on a charge and 900 with the APU running at 80 mpg and it has no comprimises. Top speed 150mph 0-60 4.5 seconds total power 480kw and 2800 nm of torque.

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:30:34 +0000

The VOLT sounds good, but I’m a little disappointed in the charged miles you will get (40). Toyota is coming out with a vehicle that will get 60 or more. GM needs to get more to sell more. Otherwise Toyota will eventually bury them.

By: Tagamet

Tagamet — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:46:28 +0000

Seaquake2

“I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but I haven’t seen anything in regards to this, but basically my question is what will happen or what will GM do with all the lithium batteries once they reach their 10 year, 150,000 mile lifespan?

We they be recycled? Some how rebuilt to be reused again? Or just thrown in the landfill?”

They can be used in large buildings sitting in the basement to help smooth out the electricity. Or maybe sell them to people with solar?
Be well,
Tag