It's almost as if GM mesmerized the reporters, who just repeat everything they are told.
GM used 1300 lbs. of Panasonic lead acid batteries to give the 1997 EV1 a range of up to 110 miles. A pack one third that size, or about 400 lbs, would be enough for the VOLT.
GM used 700 lbs. of Nickel Metal Hydride ("NiMH") batteries in the 1999 EV1, giving it a range of 144 (EPA) to 160 miles. A pack one third the size, or 250 lbs. would be enough to give the VOLT a range of at least 45 miles.
We are among hundreds of 2001, 2002 and 2003 Toyota RAV4-EV drivers still getting over 100 miles range on the five-year-old NiMH battery pack. These NiMH give adequate acceleration in this small SUV, deep cycle, and give long cycle life. Many of these RAV4-EV are coming up on 100,000 miles, and still running well.
Our family has driven over 470,000 miles in every kind of production EV that was released to the public, and some that weren't. We, and others who know about EVs, aren't fooled by GM's deceptive press release; they know all about the existing batteries, the batteries are here, now, as certified by the 2000 California Air Resources Board Battery Technology Workshop and validated by experience. When our EV1 were turned in and crushed, they were running as well then as when new.
GM might say that NiMH is more expensive then Lithium, but if so, why are claiming that Lithium needs expensive research, and why are they begging for government handouts to do the research? Nickel metal is expensive, but so is Zinc, Lithium and Copper, and Nickel is fully recyclable, offsetting the cost of production with the recovery value. Besides, Ni metal forms only a very small part of the weight of the NiMH battery pack.
Everyone in the battery business knows that the most expensive NiMH only costs at most $800 per kWh, and has superior thermal and internal resistance characteristics, requires a less tricky cooling and thermal management system, and lasts longer than the life of the car.
Lithium is much more volatile, and no one has driven a Lithium car more than 30,000 miles before battery degradation.
Even if one assumes that some day, after incalculable sums spent on research, Lithium can be made as safe, long lasting and powerful as NiMH, there is no reason for GM to completely ignore the existing, adequate NiMH technology.
GM knows all about NiMH. GM used it, and even once controlled the worldwide patent rights to NiMH.
For engineers to ignore these facts is puzzling, if not contemnable.
http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/feb07/4911