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Curiousgeorge says:
People need to educate themselves about batteries referring to Obamas car cult above. Heres a little info that may help http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20022049-54.html . The main issue of course is the impact of this on resale values. I suspect it will be significant far greater than an ICE vehicle of similar initial value.
GM is envisioning refreshing EV batteries. This can be done of course, but you never get back to original condition. I can foresee unwary owners being sold refreshed batteries at new prices, or buying a used EV with refreshed rather than new batteries, but not being told the truth of the matter by the dealer or previous owner.
Partial excerpt:
Like all rechargeable batteries, the lithium ion batteries used in the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and other electric vehicles coming to market degrade over time. These cars will continue to run but the range they can travel on a charge is expected to be impacted over time. Auto industry executives say to expect a 20 percent to 30 percent drop in range over 8 to 10 years.
GM apparently does not expect such a process would fully restore batteries, though. The power and capacity loss associated with the SEI (solid electrode interphase) layer, as well as the decomposition of the liquid electrolyte, are thought to be at least partially reversible, and it has been found that a low power and capacity battery may be able to recover at least a portion of its power and capacity for further use, according to the patent application.
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WillR says:
I have no idea how you missed this story
In executive suites across the country, James Camerons much-publicized September visit to Alberta must have set tongues a-clucking. After calling the provinces oil sands a black eye for Canada, the supremely confident Hollywood director had been invited to come see them for himself.
Mr. Cameron ended his brief tour which included meetings with local politicians and aboriginal leaders by calling on the Alberta government to do a better job of managing oil-sands pollution. To his credit, he showed a sophisticated knowledge of current conservation efforts. And as a native of Chippawa, Ont., Mr. Cameron couldnt be written off as a Yankee megastar delivering Canadians a patronizing lecture on the environment.
On that note, Mr. Cameron also admitted that he used to be hotheaded and rude on the set a leadership style he now regards as counterproductive. You have to inspire people to do their best by respecting them, he said. Even going into a room where you know going in that youre probably going to disagree with almost everything the other person says, if you respect them, youll still find some way to be constructive. And if you dont, then you can yell at them.
But standing you up for a debate? Another matter
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In the News Cap-and-Trade Is Political Kryptonite EPA Regs for Rigs The Wilderness Obsession What the Elections Mean for the Greens Environmental Toxins High Speed Trains Are a Waste of Money Green Hiring Scandal at the DOE News You Can Use
Cap-and-Trade Kills Careers in Congress Inside the Beltway More significant is the fact that the new Republican majority in the House is largely skeptical of the claim that global warming is a potential crisis and is close to unanimously opposed to cap-and-trade and other energy-rationing measures. Not only is cap-and-trade dead, but there is a good chance that the House next year will move legislation to block or delay the EPA from using the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The question is, can such a measure pass the Democratic-controlled Senate? There is certainly a majority in the Senate for blocking EPA, but sixty votes will be needed. My guess is that there will be more than sixty votes. As EPA regulations start to bite next year, Senators will start to hear complaints from their constituents. And a number of Democratic Senators are up for re-election in 2012 and will want to avoid the fate of so many of their colleagues this year. President Obama Reacts The Dream Team Returns Across the States California New Mexico The Cooler Heads Digest is the weekly e-mail publication of the Cooler Heads Coalition. For the latest news and commentary, check out the Coalitions website, www.GlobalWarming.org. |