Comments on: GM at 100: Volt to Start the Next Century

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:31:38 +0000

While GM dilly dallies the rest of the world is gearing up to overtake the lead in the failing auto industry.
The hybrid is already obsolete as the TESLA car is in production and on the streets. (and very good styling) At an impressive 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph and Total electric with 300 mile range the gas/electric hybrid is failing about as fast as the gas gusslers. Now combine that with the change of style in the production model of the Volt and you have something to be concerned about.
GM held a big cover up the Camaro while it’s on the show room floor to some end that is still obscure. Now it would seem they are trying the same with the Volt. This may be too little too late for their salvation. and Honda traded 70 mpg for 45 mpg in their reintroduced Insight. Ford and dodge have nothing in the arena as of yet.
I believe the Tesla and other new companies like this will usher in the new auto age in the wake of the dying Jurassic gas hogs of today.

By: jriverat

jriverat — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:02:32 +0000

Interesting that the projected plans for an electric car do not include a SOLAR based battery maintenance option. From silicon to dyes to smart skins for a roof. Even a DC jack would be nice (should I want to park the car under teh shade of a ‘contraption” huh? (TMI) After all, the car will spend his day in the parking lot of the workplace. Not talking about getting a full charge, just getting another mile out of the batt before the engine kicks on. I just hope that enough of the engineering is trckled out, to allow the few of us that like to play, improve on greatness. How would I send in such a message to the “E-Flex Systems and Chevy Volt General Motors Corp.”? jrt

By: John

John — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:42:34 +0000

#49 wrote “What about a capacitor, isnt there new tech that could replace a battery?”

yes there is something called an ultracapicitor (can’t help but think of the Flex Capicitor from Back to the Future)

Zenn Motor Company (Canada “ah”), a electic car maker, will be using this technology developed by EEstor, whom is based in Texas. The specs are fantastic…

http://www.zenncars.com/html/investor/EEStor/index.html

As you can see the Ceramic EESU’s claims are superior to lithium-ion batteries. There is a very clear and clean graph on Zenn’s website. go to http://www.zenncars.com/ then click “Learn” “Company” “EEstor” scroll down to graph.

The good thing is that EEstor has had 3rd party to verify thier claims.

http://media.cleantech.com/3173/eestor-gets-scientific-backing-its-advanced-batteries

Makes me wonder “why hasn’t GM looked in this direction yet?”

By: Mohsen

Mohsen — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:34:02 +0000

Nasaman, there is 3 years of field data available on A123 packs used in DeWalt tools. Would you assume that obtaining a 10 year projection based on this data is entirely possible?

By: Carcus

Carcus — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:34:13 +0000

Nasaman #131,

Sounds like interesting work. Sort of like and independent NTSB for spacecraft?
Looks like the first Lithiums went high (is that the term for Geosynchronous?) in March of ‘04.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2004/mar/1025503.htm

I hope you are right that there’s been (soon will be) enough testing on the GM suppliers batteries to be assured of exceeding the warranty period. We’d all like to see mass production and reduced price soon thereafter. Guess we’ll all just have to wait and see how it works out.
I have no idea what Lockheed Martin’s status is/was with NiH2. Most of their buzz lately has come from involvement with Eestor and the supercaps.

P.S. Batteries aren’t my specialty either. But I soon hope to get my Masters in “googling”.
(plus, I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night)