GM Opens Battery Factory For the Volt
The $8,000, 220-cell, lithium-ion battery pack that powers the Chevy Volt
On Thursday, General Motors will open the GM Brownstown Assembly Plant, the "first lithium ion battery pack manufacturing plant in the U.S. operated by a major automaker."
Located in Brownstown Township, Michigan, the factory will assemble the lithium-ion battery packs that will power the Chevy Volt. The batteries that fill the packs will be assembled with batteries that will be made by LG Chem of South Korea. The battery packs, which consist of 220 cells, will cost about $8,000 each (yikes).
GM will be marking the event with a grand-opening ceremony, which will be attended by both Ed Whitacre, CEO of General Motors, and Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretary
With a new decade upon us, this opening could prove to be the first step in revitalizing the already wounded American car industry. Even though this plant will only be assembling the battery packs, hopefully operations can be expanded to include manufacturing components in the future, and give the Detroit Three a leg up in the automotive world.
Source: CNET
The Tesla Roadster Takes Off
The PEM and ESS of the Tesla Roadster (the motor lies below the PEM)
This weekend I was lucky enough to attend the New England Auto Show at the Boston Covention and Exhibition Center, where a host of shiny new cars (including some hybrid versions of existing models) were on display. The one that I was most excited to see and most disappointed not to be able to sit in was the Tesla Roadster. The much-talked-about electric sports car was on display with Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Lotuses, and Aston Martins in a small section devoted to exotics in the middle of the exhibition floor. One of the models they had on display had the hood and the trunk open, revealing some of the inner workings of the car. (left)
The Power Electronics Module (PEM), which "control[s] the motor and allow[s] for integrated battery charging," was visible, as well as the Energy Storage System (ESS), which normal-speaking people call a battery pack. The electric motor sits under the PEM in a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration, so I couldn't get a good look at it, but the Tesla website has an interesting page that shows the layout of the Roadster as well as some additional information if you want to learn more.
Although I didn't get to sit in it or hear it running, Reuters featured a short video on Friday that shows the Roadster being started up and driven off. Take a look and enjoy!
Sources: Reuters; Tesla
Tesla Motors’ Impending IPO – Publicly-Owned EV Companies Have Never Been Sexier
Tesla Motors, the California-based makers of sleek, high-performance EVs such as the Tesla Roadster will be making an IPO very soon, reports Reuters. The move will follow their reported profits of $1 million on $20 million of revenue in July. Although they have remained privately held since their founding in 2003, this move could have been foreseen, as Tesla Motors chairman Elon Musk suggested an IPO possibility in late 2008 or 2009. However, the economic chaos late last year proved an enormous obstacle, even for a company that sells an electric car as gorgeous as the Tesla Roadster (left).
A few bits of info for those who aren't in the know: The Roadster boasts a top speed of 125 mph, goes 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, and runs on 100% electricity from lithium-ion battery packs - the same ones you use in your cell phone, laptop, and a myriad of other electronics equipment. Don't get too excited, though. Although it may be fuel and time efficient, it certainly isn't cash efficient. With a base price of $109,000, this is not a cheap thrill. And that doesn't even include floor mats, or cool options like "Tesla Paint Armor" and "Forged Tesla Wheels." Is it just me or does the addition of the word "Tesla" make even the most standard option sound incredibly awesome? Check out their galleries here, and don't forget a napkin for the drool.
Sources: Reuters, Tesla Motors