Comments on: GM Chooses LG Chem to Supply Chevy Volt’s Lithium-ion Batteries and Will Build the Packs Themselves

By: Dee Welch,PE

Dee Welch,PE — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:49:51 +0000

How about some real facts on the battery? Rather than “upto” so many charges, how about the real average # of charges? Rather than “upto” 40 miles/ charge, how about the real average miles/charge? With +/- 300 cells, what it the reliability? What is the expected degradation over the +/- 4 year life? What will a replacement battery cost?……$15,000? What is average battery amortization per mile? It has to be at least $0.30/mile. That is more than it cost to drive my Suburban for gas alone.

By: David Isaacs

David Isaacs — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:47:02 +0000

I see the same old BS from GM. Hybrid cars with gas belching motors! What in the world are the majors doing developing hybrids which get 50 miles per gallon when all electrics get 140 miles/gallon equivalent. Also, GM has been screwing around with fuel cells with no infrastructrure for hydrogen and with expensive construction when they had the know how with EV-1. Why are they developing the VOLT when they can buy batteries from A123 and Altairnano that would give them 125 mile ranges or more just as Tesla is coming out with their Model S that can get 300 miles with the right battery pack???

By: Red, White, Blue and Green | EcoSilly

Red, White, Blue and Green | EcoSilly — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:11:48 +0000

[...] turbine parts that we need to move to a clean energy economy are made overseas. So is the battery for the much-touted all-electric Chevrolet Volt. And it’s not price that is driving [...]

By: Of Corvettes And Green Electrons | EcoSilly

Of Corvettes And Green Electrons | EcoSilly — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:01:21 +0000

[...] is importing the lithium-ion battery packs for its new extended-range electric car, the Volt, from Korea and assembling them in Michigan. The gasoline engines that kick in to recharge the Volt [...]

By: BAILOUT LOSER AND TAXPAYER BLOODSUCKER GM DISSES US SUPPLIER : Chris Grande

BAILOUT LOSER AND TAXPAYER BLOODSUCKER GM DISSES US SUPPLIER : Chris Grande — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:46:55 +0000

[...] Official Press Release [...]

By: 16falcon

16falcon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:40:45 +0000

I seem to be having problems with acronyms today. In my post above replace P-HEV with E-REV…

I would like to get rid of my 2 non-hybrid ICE cars and get either a BEV or a E-REV to go with the Hybrid for a total of 2 vehicles.

And when the Ecape wears out then I’ll definitely replace it with a E-REV.

The BEV vs E-REV decision for me will likely be determined by price and availability with some styling thrown in too.

My bad!

By: 16falcon

16falcon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:36:47 +0000

#168 Dave G Says:

So just to be clear, you’re thinking about owning 3 cars, 2 BEVs and a hybrid. This would probably work fine, but you would have to maintain and insure 3 cars.
======================================================
No, you misunderstood. I already own the hybrid, plus 2 other cars actually. I would like to get rid of my 2 non-hybrid ICE cars and get either a BEV or a P-HEV to go with the Hybrid for a total of 2 vehicles. I’m saying that with our commutes, either one of us could use the Ford BEV while the other uses the Escape Hybrid. If one of us has to drive more than 100 miles in a day they could take the Hybrid. Vacation or road trip would be in the Hybrid. I get around 30MPG now in the winter with the Escape which isn’t bad for a small SUV, so while not being totally free of imported oil, my consumption will be much lower than it has ever been. And when the Ecape wears out then I’ll definitely replace it with a P-HEV.

The bottom line is that my personal situation is such that I can consider a 100 AER BEV as my second car without “range anxiety” since I have the Hybrid for any longer trips. I think there are many couples that have 2 ICE cars now that could easily replace one with a BEV without serious “range anxiety”. The BEV vs P-HEV decision for me will likely be determined by price and availability with some styling thrown in too.

By: Dave G

Dave G — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:01:34 +0000

#157 16falcon Says: “Her work commute is only about 10 miles one way, mine is about 20 one way. So the BEV will work well for either commute. We would still have the Ford Escape Hybrid for longer trips around town or cross country.”
————————————————————————————–
So just to be clear, you’re thinking about owning 3 cars, 2 BEVs and a hybrid. This would probably work fine, but you would have to maintain and insure 3 cars.

Alternatively, you could just have 2 EREVs. Less insurance. More room in the driveway.

By: 16falcon

16falcon — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:50:36 +0000

Dan Frederiksen #160

Ditto! Thanks for your effort Dan.

NPNS

By: canehdian

canehdian — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:01:16 +0000

#157, I’m with you there as well.
Even if the cold saps half my range, 80km is still more than enough for a daily trip. (it would definitely not be that drastic)

Also, I’m not in northern territories or something. Southern Ontario is actually quite warm (warmer than most northern states)

If anything, cold is better for a BEV in that the cells lives are “preserved” in cold. Leave a lithium battery at 30C forever and you lose capacity FAST.
Put it in the fridge and it pretty much maintains it’s levels.

So let’s see:
-slightly reduced range in winter (still more than enough)
-increased overall life of batteries when left idle
-no gas

seems like a win to me, unless price is severely inflated.