mark yates: I suggest googling Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFeK). The way they store the oxygen atoms is completely different to a standard Lithium cell and inherently very stable. I assume the Volt is using these type of batteies? Valence.com used to have a good demonstration of what happens in thermal runaway in a “normal” lithium battery vs. their LiFeK batteries. The standard ones act like flamethrowers when they’re abused = shot at!  (Quote)

I thought it was common knowledge, but the Volt will use lithium-manganese batteries, not LiFe. Most of the hobby lithium batteries (I have 50+) are lithium-cobalt, and will burst into flames if punctured. Lithium-manganese are far safer. I have some LiMns, but unfortunately they are no longer available, at least not as the Apogee Magnum brand. Their video of a LiMn being drilled is still up though:

http://www.pfmdistribution.com/Apogee_Puncture_Test.wmv

Don’t try this with a regular LiPo!! (lithium-cobalt) So the Volt should be fairly safe in a crash, although the addition of gasoline onto a smoldering battery could be a concern.

Back to the range subject, I don’t like long trips but just did a 1000-mile round trip last weekend, so it suddenly seems more important. I still say the CS mode mileage will be worse than the similar Cruze’s highway mileage, probably low 30′s. That’s unless GM finds a way to break some laws of physics and thermodynamics.

jeffhre: I don’t understand that one. Is it ethics, image in the public eye or something else?

#202

Yes.

Joe: Joe

I guess we have another joe but with a capitol letter. I wished this could be avoided.

ClarksonCote: It just seems wrong to me that all that gasoline is so close to all that lithium… though I suppose it’s not inherently dangerous.  (Quote)

I suggest googling Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries (LiFeK). The way they store the oxygen atoms is completely different to a standard Lithium cell and inherently very stable. I assume the Volt is using these type of batteies? Valence.com used to have a good demonstration of what happens in thermal runaway in a “normal” lithium battery vs. their LiFeK batteries. The standard ones act like flamethrowers when they’re abused = shot at!