Battery Is Third of Electric Car Cost – The Wall Street Journal

[petefoss]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...534072994.html

Pete

PS. Back when I started flying electric powered airplanes NiCAD batteries were 1/3 of the weight of the plane too!

[wtsailor]

I wonder how much a 4 cyl engine costs for a small car? Someday, the batteries will be cheaper but will the cars by then?

[jamesjcm]

A new 1.4L drop in engine is about $5600.00

[techtom]

So if the batteries cost that much, how is GM selling replacements for $3,000?

[JamesMcQuaid]

Hi Pete,

Interesting article, thank you for posting. I've been thinking about going to California and hauling a Spark back to Michigan. Are you at liberty to say if the Spark has temperature management of the batteries?

Thank you,

James

[petefoss]

Hi Pete,

Interesting article, thank you for posting. I've been thinking about going to California and hauling a Spark back to Michigan. Are you at liberty to say if the Spark has temperature management of the batteries?

Thank you,

James

No I'm not (and I don't know anyway), sorry.

[saghost]

So if the batteries cost that much, how is GM selling replacements for $3,000?

We're pretty sure they're doing it by subsidizing the battery, to ensure it doesn't scare people. Possibly the ultimate proof that GM is serious about this car.

[DonC]

Koz on another thread said the $3000 was for the pack and electronics sans cells.

[saghost]

Koz on another thread said the $3000 was for the pack and electronics sans cells.

But we have a couple of warranty replacements on record on the forum which show only $3k for the complete pack with cells. I tend to trust those threads over the ones coming from MNL with their bias.

[Henry_FL]

Prices for Ford making 10 Focus and GM now with close to 30K produced will have a big difference in cost. I'm to lazy to hunt down the posts but I'm certain I read GM was at $500/kw already if not lower