GM does not want to get involved into a lot of broad issues for the sake of having “Something for Everybody”. I believe GM is on a roll with VOLTEC and should assure that it is appropriately funded with their limited resources before, the government starts inappropriate input.

I know that we tax payers hold a large stake in the business but, I believe in GM and that they can modernize and come out on top. Just with the concept of the VOLT being so dynamic and getting broad attention is testimony in itself of their capabilities.

“The modular packs will also have to meet the 10 year warranty.. its the law in several states.

I hink its ridiculous.”

This is a widespread misunderstanding. The 10 year’s comes from California and the other states (?) are only duplicating their policy. It’s not a law altogether. It is a rule to allow a hybrid like the Prius to quilify as a PZEV. It is acutally a well intentioned rule to insure that a car requiring a battery to qualify for a PZEV actually has that battery functioning. It does not apply to BEV’s and I don’t believe it should (will?) apply to an EREV like the Volt. There is another common misconception that people will not but a EV that the battery won’t last at least 10 years. This is what GM is cowtowing to and it IS rediculous. The only mass produced EV doesn’t have a 10+ year battery and they are performing quite well in their segment. Ultimately, it is $/(lifetime KWH) that matters.

I don’t want to spend extra $ for battery capacity to cover the calendar any more than necessary. Why would anybody. Especially in a deflationary battery market.

The Volt already balances its cells.

Did you know that if you fully charge a lithium cell in a cold environment, and then the cell warms up it becomes overcharged all by itself?.. that probably is the reason GM does not fully charge the cells, only up to 80% I think. They claim is to prevent overcharge from regen braking but that does not make sense.

One advantage of the LiFe cells is that they are very tolerant of abuses such as overcharging, imbalances and deep discharges.. disadvantage is they have a lower voltage and thus lower energy.

…………………………………………..
#136 carcus1 Says:
Herm,
How ’bout the Aeroflex 5% to 95% SOC window claim? (my post @ 133). Do you buy that?

Hey, does gasoline have to meet the 10 year, 100,000 mile useability warranty? If not, cause for a lawsuit, methinks. If so, show me that gas in your gas tank that’s 10 years old and traveled 100,000 miles. Since a power pack doesn’t use it’s full charge, it always retains some of its original energy atoms in 100% usable form, which should validate the warrenty. Someone set me straight?

How ’bout the Aeroflex 5% to 95% SOC window claim? (my post @ 133). Do you buy that?

I think its ridiculous.

Ok, it’s 2009, where’s my plug-in hybrid?

What, GM lied to us? Again? Ya, it’s always “in just two years”, regardless of the current date. Meanwhile, GM keeps shoveling mostly inefficient, old technology cr@p onto failing dealerships instead of showing consumers what they really want at dealerships.

Aeroflex company profile:
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:eckXBuONqN0J:www.humbugpr.com/aeroflex/ATSCP.doc+aeroflex+company+profile&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari

A 40 mile pack likes the Volts weighs 170lbs. If you aren’t designing for 10 years of life, the 8kwh useable could be as low as 150lbs.