Possible reasons A123 lost the Chevy Volt contract
As we reported a few months back, all signs point to Compact Power, a subsidiary of LG Chem, being awarded the big initial battery contract for the upcoming Chevy Volt. Why? There are some obvious reasons, including that Compact Power was able to get its battery packs to the General a full two months before A123 fulfilled its end of the bargain, but there could be more to it than that, and Technology Review is postulating on some possible reasons. Could it be that A123's units were more expensive, despite not requiring as much safety hardware? That's one scenario to consider. Another is that, while A123's batteries would likely have lasted longer, there was no provision from GM to make use of that possibility in the form of a lower output pack. In any case, the official announcement awarding the contract to LG is expected before the end of the year and could be made as early as this week at the LA Auto Show. This would be something we'd Twitter to get the news out as we are writing the post, btw. Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt
[Source: Technology Review]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wilsonite 12:13AM (11/18/2008)
Makes ya wonder if GM should be/is thinking about using A123 for an up-level electric range option? The LTZ if you will...
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radler63 2:18AM (11/18/2008)
The real tragedy is that the battery packs are not exchangeable independent on the brand and chemistry- this will prevent BEVs from being successful.
- the supply market is not competitive
- its is not possible to upgrade to newer technologies
One is for sure - the battery pack in BEVs will not last for ever so the introduction of BEVs should plan exchange costs in advance...
Efried
www.greenfleet.info
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Chris M 2:38AM (11/18/2008)
Are you certain they can't be "independent of brand and chemistry"? After all, GM is likely to be using microprocessor based controls for drive and charging, so upgrading to a different type of battery might be a simple matter of swapping out a program ROM chip.
Their choice of battery suppliers might be a simple business decision - LG Compact Power might have better service and bigger production facilities.
radler63 8:45AM (11/18/2008)
Just to clarify:
The consumer should have the possibility to use another battery pack! This will create a market and allow using up-to-date technology!
Joe B. 12:59PM (11/18/2008)
This is another case of GM's poor decision making. Why does GM have to pick one or the other. Why not offer both battery packs and let the consumer pick his or her choice. The Th!nk City has three battery pack options. One lead based battery pack choice and two lithium ion battery pack choices. The lithium ion packs choices are A123 and EnerDel.
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BGJ 1:29PM (11/18/2008)
Actually this is another case of smart business decisions. Why add time, cost and complexity to an already complex and costly design? Comparing the Volt to the Think is apples and oranges.
And arguing that there should be a user upgradeable battery to upgrade with new technology makes zero sense in a car. This is not an MP3 player. Do you think current cars should have an upgradeable engine? My 1990 pushrod powered car doesn't have an upgrade option to a more modern DOHC. Man those car companies are so stupid.
Wilsonite 9:18PM (11/18/2008)
BGJ, actually this happens all the time. For example, an old Chevrolet S-10 Blazer's available engines:
1.8l Diesel
2.0l-4
2.5l-4
2.8l-v6
and later years you could choose between
2.5l-4
2.8l-v6
4.3l-v6
4.3l-Vortec v6
Sounds like engine upgrades to me. Look at virtually every car ever manufactured... Most models have an up-level engine option.