Comments on: Volvo Integrates Energy Storage Into Hybrid Vehicle Body

By: Harald Thingelstad

Harald Thingelstad — Sun, 03 Nov 2013 22:10:00 +0000

Plastic batteries come to mind. They’ve existed in labs for years, but has been very difficult to mass-produce. They can be produced in all shapes and sizes.
Are they finally coming close to mass production?

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:38:00 +0000

Yes, but my conjecture is better than the authors. Notice how the author switched from talking about EVs to ICE vehicles and didn’t even realize it. Quoting the author:

“A 15% overall reduction in vehicle weight is expected from this project if applied to electric cars. That translates to a kerb weight reduction of 522 pounds (237 kg) for an entry-level Volvo S80.”

Then think about how removing the battery and alternator on the Volvo S80 could possibly amount to 522 pounds.

By: brink

brink — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 12:40:00 +0000

conjecture on your part

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 18:16:00 +0000

I wrote that 500lbs off as being propaganda. The article is about the http://www.volvocars.com/us/all-cars/volvo-s80/Pages/default.aspx which has a battery. The 15% was for the reduction in a EV which the s80 is not. The Tesla is about the only EV of any significance available today. Say it weighs 5k. That would be a 750lb reduction. However I don’t believe these batteries would weigh less than the LH batteries. If these new batteries are part of the structure would the structure be safe? Currently the Tesla structure is made of stamped aluminum. The center of gravity would no longer be low. Also the structure of the car, all that surface area, is subject to extreme temperatures. Batteries need room temperatures with little temperature deviation. Then do you want to be replacing your cars structure every ten years? Or when you get a minor fender bender? And the weight of a Tesla would probably go up by 15% rather than down because it’s current aluminum structure holding LH batteries is very light. I like the technology offered here but the 500lbs is purely propaganda. There are other markets though that this technology will disrupt.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 17:57:00 +0000

Would agree, except for that >500lb weight savings, that is big.

By: jburt56

jburt56 — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 16:46:00 +0000

You’ll probably see it emerging in aerospace with electric planes and drones.

By: Ivor O'Connor

Ivor O'Connor — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Very interesting. Not sure about the car space being right for this product. This seems more appropriate for the electronics world where size matters and money doesn’t. There replacing the case of say a smart phone or tablet with a “battery case” would free up lots of room.