Thanks to advanced battery technology, the Chevy Volt could see an all-electric driving range of up to 80 miles
GM is readying its extended range electric vehicle called the Volt, set for production in 2010. Expect it to deliver the average driver at least 40 miles on electric power alone. The Volt is equipped with a gasoline engine to recharge the battery when driving for longer distances is required.
The key component to the Volt and its ability to meet the promises GM has made is the lithium-ion battery the car uses. Applied Sciences Inc. is currently working with carbon nanofibers which could stretch the Volt's all-electric driving range up to 80 miles. Working along with GM and Applied Sciences to make the Volt a reality is another firm called Pyrograf Products.
Pyrograf says that its output of carbon nanofibers currently accounts for 25% of the global carbon nanofiber production. The reason the carbon nanofiber is such an important part of the Volt equation is twofold. First, the nanofibers allow for more efficiency from the battery. Second, due to performance that is more efficient the amount of overall carbon in the battery can be reduced. The total effect being less weight for the electric drive train to propel, equating to longer driving distances being attainable compared to other battery systems.
With any vehicle, reducing weight is a key component to improving performance. The original electric car from GM, the EV1, had a lead acid battery that weighed about 800 pounds. The Volt's current lithium-ion battery is about 400 pounds according to John Mackay, a spokesman for Applied Sciences.
Mackay said, "By making the carbon perform better, you can reduce the weight of that component in the battery. GM researchers say they have not seen any carbon materials that have performed as well as ours."
