Geneva Motor Show: Lutz wants an EV in produciton by 2010
GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz is in Geneva today for the big show and while talking to reporters, he reiterated that the company wants to have an electric car in production by 2010. As usual, the biggest speed-bump remains the battery technology since all the rest of the components are basically ready to go. According to Lutz: "We're sort of outside our comfort zone." With Tesla pushing ahead with plans to have their WhiteStar sedan in production in 2009, GM is definitely feeling the heat now. A fully functional version of the Volt is expected to be running later this year. Unfortunately, a production version of the Volt is likely to be much more conventional looking than the concept, particularly the placement of the front wheels.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KLEI 3:21PM (3/06/2007)
I dont understand why gm can't use altairnano nanosafe batteries. They have 20+ year callendar life, 10,000-15,000 charge cycles (thats 400,000-600,000 miles before they need to be replaced) and they are extremely safe (they wont explode like normal li-ion).
http://www.altairnano.com/markets_amps.html
Can someone enlighten me?
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Danny Lewis 4:39PM (3/07/2007)
I like Tesla Motors better. The whole ideology of the company is just right. EVs need to look good and not like something you'd see a circus clown driving around in. The Tesla Roadster is a car that can get you laid--it is sharp. Not that I'm dissing the Chevy Volt, but I would like it better if it was a pure EV--I don't want to have to bother with a damn combustion engine. Although, the Volt would be good to help ween the motor companies and the public from combustion engines.
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Beek 5:45PM (3/06/2007)
GM is already using a nano-lithium safe battery made by A123 Systems. This battery is rumoured to be superior to Altair's, but is more costly. Its the same technology, I believe, just different materials.
A123 has commercial proof (Dewalt 36 v. tools), while Altair only has concepts.
I believe Tesla is using A123 - but I could be wrong.
GM is behind the curve. In 2008 there will be multiple suppliers of BEVs, and they will leave GM in the dust.
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Howard Lee Harkness 3:57PM (3/06/2007)
For starters, the folks at AltairNano have their heads planted firmly where the sun doesn't shine. It's not 100% clear that the NanoSafe is even a real product, and not vaporware. If it IS a real product, then their approach to marketing it defies any understanding at all. If I was a stockholder, I'd be preparing a lawsuit.
Fortunately, they have some competition, which may eventually force AltairNano away from their attempts to force their notion of Political Correctness on the rest of the world.
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DC 5:58PM (3/06/2007)
How will there be enough volume and sales networks to leave GM in the dust? Which suppliers are you referring to?
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Chris M 7:36PM (3/06/2007)
To answer some comments: Altair is currently devoting their entire production to the Phoenix Motors electric SUT/SUV, but might possibly also supply batteries for the ZAP-X.
Tesla is not currently using A123, they used what was available, standard 18650 LiIon cells. They may switch to another type of battery if it can meet their criteria and if it is produced in sufficient volume.
GM will test battery packs from A123/Cobasys and Saft/Johnson Controls. One or possibly both may get a contract to provide complete battery packs to GM.
There are a long list of companies developing EVs and PHEVs, including major automakers, new startups, and small specialty companies. Together they represent a major challenge to GM.
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