Battery Tech

http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/08/25/gm-owned-battery-start-up-developing-lithium-ions-with-double-the-energy-density/


Li-ion batteries already pack a lot of power into a small package when compared to regular alkaline batteries. They are smaller and lighter than the Ni-Ca and Ni-MH batteries (think old laptop and cell phone batteries). But they are a fairly young battery and practically still in their first generation. That is one reason they are so expensive and the reason the Chevy Volt will cost so much. The next generation Volt will cost less because cost of components will come down including the battery.

Now according to this article they will also be able to probably double the mileage that they can get out of a car with the same size battery. Or reduce the size of the battery pack in the vehicle and get the same mileage. Actually, because the weight would be reduced they would still get better mileage if they halved the size of the battery.

The main question is how long before we see this technology on the road. Since it is a GM owned company and the US government owns most of GM right now there are really 2 ways of thinking. Knowing how government organizations are run, it takes forever to get anything approved. MAGLEV anyone? On the other hand, GM does have some say in what it can do and has said the Volt will be a continually developed vehicle, if the batteries are ready we could see the new battery packs in the first generation Volt in its mid life face lift probably around 2014 or 2015.