EMF-Battery Range

[kff]

I hope this question might be answered by a GM engineer. I noticed pictures of the battery pack seem to have shielding draped over it. Is
this to shield EMF? Also, are other electrical components shielded from EMF when charging an/or regenerative braking such as the wiring and generator? Is any Data available to the public about EMF levels in the cabin during the operation of this vehicle. Lastly, any chance of the battery range increasing more than 40 miles in the near future, maybe as an add on, for the 2012 and later models? Thanks.

[George S. Bower]

Lastly, any chance of the battery range increasing more than 40 miles in the near future, maybe as an add on, for the 2012 and later models? Thanks.

I would say the chances are very remote.

Right now the Volt only uses 50% of its pack. (16 kwh pack, 8kwh usable). This was done to make the life requirements. As the pack ages I would assume their will be software mods available from GM to use more of the pack and still maintain 40 miles AER.

GM's pack is a extremely conservative design. We will find the pack is good for much more than the 100000 mile warranty.

In the future (IMO) we will see GM maintain the 40 mile AER but decrease the pack size from 16 kwh (by increasing DOD). In this way they can reduce the wt and cost of the Volt.

I also would expect the hackers will find a way to change the software to increase AER but your warranty would be in jeopardy.

[Cab Driver]

I hope this question might be answered by a GM engineer. I noticed pictures of the battery pack seem to have shielding draped over it. Is
this to shield EMF? Also, are other electrical components shielded from EMF when charging an/or regenerative braking such as the wiring and generator? Is any Data available to the public about EMF levels in the cabin during the operation of this vehicle. Lastly, any chance of the battery range increasing more than 40 miles in the near future, maybe as an add on, for the 2012 and later models? Thanks.

I don't know whether the pack shielding is needed for EMF, but the main purpose for the shielding is thermal. It is good enough that the pack did not fall to ambient temperature when the car was left outside overnight on a cold winter night in Kapuskasing Ontario Canada. Similarly it will slow the heating of the pack if the car is left outside on a blistering day in Phoenix. Lithium Ion cells live longest when kept at moderate temperatures.

Also, as George said, GM feels it is a much higher priority for future versions of the battery pack to be less expensive, smaller, and lighter while keeping the 40 mile AER. The amount of gas saved by a larger AER is much less beneficial than lowering the cost so more folks can afford a Volt.

[WopOnTour]

The Volt meets all current standards for electro-magnetic frequency emissions as per various controlling bodies (FCC, CSA, etc etc)

All of the HV cables are fully shielded with Farraday cages and the battery housing is carefully connected to the vehicle ground plane in such a fashion that it also acts as shielding for EMI/RFI emissions.

Not an issue, using your cell phone likely exposes you to more energy.

WopOnTour

[hermperez]

sitting still in traffic next to someone with a door rattler stereo probably exposes you to more RFI