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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The estimated baseline cost of the lithium-ion batteries used by the Volt and, most likely, other future PHEVs: $1,000 per kilowatt-hour. (http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/03/gm-defends-chevy-volt-calls-critical-study-faulty.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Lutz_and_the_VOLT.jpgBill Visnic - Auto Observer - Mar. 03, 2009

GM may have grinned at the Dust to Dust study, but not this one - and it's more credible. -- Ed.

A study by engineers from Carnegie Mellon University examining the economics of electricity-intensive "plug-in" hybrid-electric vehicles - a coming class of high-efficiency models typified by General Motors Corp.'s 2011 Chevrolet Volt - bases its primary argument on an outdated assumption, said one of GM's highest-ranking engineers.

The Carnegie Mellon study concluded that plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) using large, high-capacity battery packs to enable propulsion for comparatively long distances solely on electric power are not the most economically viable path to higher-efficiency vehicles. It said PHEVs with more modest and less-costly battery capacity are the optimum approach.

GM's highly publicized Chevrolet Volt is categorized by the company as an "extended-range" electric vehicle, but in effect is a PHEV with the kind of large-capacity battery capability the Carnegie Mellon study said is not a cost-efficient solution...http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/03/gm-defends-chevy-volt-calls-critical-study-faulty.html

Interesting. Lutz has mentioned more than once that the pack is expected to cost around $10K at time of production -- this works out to $625 per KWH. That's why I think the Ford BEV (based on a Focus platform) with its 23KWH pack should be manageable in the low $20K range ($625 * 23 = $14,375 for batteries, and $8K seems reasonable for the rest of the vehicle and some profit). $250 per KWH would be absolutely fantastic!

<RLC sits forward in his seat in anticipation>

Bring it on! :D

Hi All:

___Retail for std. Li-Ion cels in consumer friendly format has breached $300/kWh. There is absolutely no reason for large scale HEV/PHEV/FCV and BEV packs not to be much less expensive. I have been asking for a number from JCI, A123Systems, LG Chem and all I have received is a shrug and that “we are hoping to someday see $300/kWh”.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I wonder if when they say the "pack" they mean just the batteries, or the battery plus subframe plus cooler system plus bus-bars plus any connectors? Equally, what are JCI/A123 et al offering? Just the batteries alone, or the whole frame + cooler + shell?

Hi Chib:

___JCI is offering the entire package. A123Systems I believe was only offering the cels in a given configuration?

___Good Luck

___Wayne