CUTTING VOLT’S COST

3 Ideas For Lowering The Cost Of The Chevy Volt (GM)
Jay Yarow, April 6, 2009 (The Business Insider Green Sheet)

"The Chevy Volt will roll across American highways in the near future, despite being labeled too expensive by Obama's auto task force.

"The biggest cost for an electric car is its battery, but MIT's Technology Review thinks there are a few easy ways to lower that cost..

"Cut back on excessive battery costs: There is a dedicated heating and cooling system…to protect long term battery life…[I]t's not necessary, according to an Electric Power Institute study that shows batteries will last over 10 years even if 75% discharged…"

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"Manufacture in the United States: This would save hundreds of dollars per pack in shipping, and funds from the stimulus package might make this even cheaper. Though, we assume labor costs are much higher here.

"Create a second life for the battery: …[C]ar batteries are yanked after ten years because they no longer adequately hold a charge for drivers…[S]elling those batteries to electric companies that can use the batteries to hang on to excess power from, say, wind turbines creates an opportunity."