GM would make early adopters feel a lot more comfortable buying the first model year if the purchase contract includes a 3-year free or low-cost upgrade offer for 2nd generation battery packs when they are released.

Yeah, I would feel much better if they gave me a check for $10,000 too!

Frank Weber kind of choked on the upgradable question at Voltnation. I think it is essential for resale value and buyer appeal to know they have some plan for upgrades, but we can't expect the battery for free or minimal cost.

Frank Weber kind of choked on the upgradable question at Voltnation. I think it is essential for resale value and buyer appeal to know they have some plan for upgrades, but we can't expect the battery for free or minimal cost.

I disagree. If the battery itself has a resale value and GM can reuse it in another application, then the upgrade show be the cost of installation + the cost of the new battery - the resale value. You know, kind of like the way that a trade in on a car works now. With the potential for the batteries after they are removed, I don't see why anyone should expect any less.

Interchangeability and being able to upgrade battery packs over the life of the vehicle is something that would really sell me on a vehicle like this, especially if I could lease the battery pack (I know many people on here hate the thought of leasing but I would be up for it.)

I disagree. If the battery itself has a resale value and GM can reuse it in another application, then the upgrade show be the cost of installation + the cost of the new battery - the resale value. You know, kind of like the way that a trade in on a car works now. With the potential for the batteries after they are removed, I don't see why anyone should expect any less.

I agree completely with this but don't see how this disagrees with what I wrote unless you are referring to Frand Weber's position. The battery will depreciate considerably as time goes by and new battery advancements occur, so the replacement cost (new - value of old) will probably be considerable.

In my view about the battery. There is no upgrade. 10 years past by and still use that same old battery model for the volt even there is a newer battery technology, but won't work with the volt. When the battery get old we toss out the battery and get another one just as the old one. Unless you hack the car to make the new battery technology work with it.

In my view about the battery. There is no upgrade. 10 years past by and still use that same old battery model for the volt even there is a newer battery technology, but won't work with the volt. When the battery get old we toss out the battery and get another one just as the old one. Unless you hack the car to make the new battery technology work with it.

I Sooooo..... look forward to hacking this car :D

Yeah, So am I. I just can't wait to see all the hack from the internet and youtube. Some of the hack may end up becoming an third party add-on.

I'm thinking of a capasator type boost system that can chage off the main battery then discharge with the push of a button VERY fast. A cool LED guage to indicate the "boost charge state". I think of it as an EV version of a NOS system.

Note to self, don't torque hard parts off car totally with first test! :eek: