A123 Systems employees get to drive the Chevy Volt
A123 Systems, based in Massachusetts, was included in Congressional hearings the last few days discussing the conversion of hybrid vehicles to plug-ins. We have covered this story a few times already, so I won't be discussing it here, but something else of interest apparently came out in the discussions. It seems that employees of A123 Systems were given a sneak peek at the Volt, and even got to drive prototypes of the vehicle. The cars were apparently very similar to the one that we all saw in Detroit at the Auto Show. A123 is involved with the lithium ion batteries that will likely be used in the vehicle.
This all reminds me of when my older brother worked in the IT Department at Alcoa. You might remember that Alcoa built the aluminum structure of the EV1. He got a chance to drive prototypes of the EV1 before it was for sale. This all gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling for the Volt, because as you know, the EV1 did in fact make it out into the wild. I know, I know... these are totally unrelated instances, but at least it makes me feel better.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
susan.kraemer 8:17PM (7/16/2007)
Wish you'd photograph it to convince me I'll be able to see out the tiny windows...but great to see it take a baby step into existence!
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Joseph 3:50PM (7/16/2007)
"It seems that employees of A123 Systems were given a sneak peek at the Volt, and even got to drive prototypes of the vehicle."
There are already prototypes for the Volt? Or do you mean that they will in the future be able to test drive the Volt?
Does this mean perhaps that A123 has already been chosen by GM to be the battery manufacturer?
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AGK925 3:43PM (7/16/2007)
I think it is interesting that they already have prototypes, I think that we are closer to development than they want to reveal. On a side note does anyone know what the car is on A123's site under their plug in hybrid section:
http://www.a123systems.com/newsite/index.php#/home/phev/
that’s a link. To me it looks like a Saturn but I haven’t seen anything like it, I’m a little new to this so if anyone knows what it is.
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beelzabush 4:16PM (7/16/2007)
from what I've learned about the battery issues, Nimh has nearly the energy density of the lithium based on volume, but weighs more. The holdup is the Life cycle with deep discharge. The batteries last the life of the car in a Prius type design, but the depth of discharge never is allowed to go below 40%. The duty cycle of the plug ins is too severe and would reduce the cycle life to 2-3 years. So we could be building them now and indeed some are doing that, but as it stands, the battery set would need replaced too soon and at great expense.
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Jared 7:50AM (7/17/2007)
"Does this mean perhaps that A123 has already been chosen by GM to be the battery manufacturer?"
GM has chosen two battery companies to supply prototype systems. A123 is one of those companies.
http://envautomental.bligblog.com/breaking-gm-awards-two-battery-development-contracts-for-chevy-volt-3592/
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BGJ 7:58AM (7/17/2007)
#1 - that vehicle on A123's website is the Opel Antara GTC concept. It was originally shown at the 2005 Frankfurt auto show, and it inspired the styling for the next gen Theta platform for the Opel Antara and Saturn Vue. (both due out this year?)
The battery supplier for the hybrid version is guess who - A123 (in partnership with Cobasys).
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Tim 9:39AM (7/17/2007)
The Volt is not really important. It's the e-Flex drive train that is the oil addiction game changer here. If Volt styling helps to sell e-flex, that's great!
Personally, I don't care for the long hood. It's just wasted space. I'd like to see e-flex in a Miata style 2-door convertible coup with a really cool retractable hardtop. That's beautiful! A 4 passenger BMW 3-series convertible style would be OK too.
Unfortunately GM is known for playing it too safe with their Boring vanilla fleet cars or their redneck muscle cars. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
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John M. 11:00AM (7/17/2007)
I work in the same office park with A123 Systems in Watertown and saw the Volt roll off a truck and into their parking lot the other day. They quickly snapped some pictures and rolled it away before I could get any shots.
The car looked concept bad ass. Like so many other concepts, very cool lines, nice wide and mean looking stance but probably HORRIBLE from the drivers seat.
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Lyle 8:34PM (7/17/2007)
Unfortunately, this story really isn't accurate.
You can read to the truth here:
http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/07/17/chevy-volt-pays-a-visit-to-a123-system-headquarters/
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David 7:55PM (9/14/2007)
Has anyone heard of Lithium Sulpher Batteries?
They can be charged & discharged over 20,000 times & still retain over eighty percent of their original capacity! Lithium Ion; on the other hand only 1000! Lithium Sulpher Has no memory (Like lithium Ion; can be discharged over 90% & left that way for a while when recharged the are just like new; Keeping this in mind, for over 20,000 cycles!http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Lithium_Sulphur_Batteries
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