I just hate what I’m inevitably going to hear in the news: “The GM research center that made the Volt battery exploded, sending one person to the hospital.” I’m sure news outlets won’t mention that it wasn’t actually a battery that exploded. They probably also won’t mention that lead acid batteries in existing non-hybrid-gasoline-powered cars also generate hydrogen gas, which can explode violently if not properly vented.

As someone who works at GM (at the Milford Proving Grounds), I can say that the safety precautions and training are thorough, especially where anything electrical is concerned. Considering early reports that a door was blown off and windows broken, it’s impressive that only one person was hurt badly enough to require hospitalization.

When people complain that new technologies should be pushed through more quickly, remember that there is a reason no one rushes in. It takes time to not only design and build the hardware, but also to design and build safe test facilities. They aren’t cheap either.

Sure they are trying new things that have not been done before. Poor research facility they would have if they try only known things.

Also, in the process of doing new things, they might use new materials.

But that also makes that “Analyst” statement contain 0 information.