Comments on: Volt Batteries To Find Second Life As Backup Power

By: John K.

John K. — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:50:38 +0000

This "secondary use" of Volt batteries is an argument for Chevy to sell Volts, but lease their batteries. When your Volt's battery has reached the end of its life for automotive duty, Chevy swaps it out for a new one (smaller & lighter due to improvements?), and they repackage the old one into these backup power units.

"Win-win" IMO.

By: MrEnergyCzar

MrEnergyCzar — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 02:47:44 +0000

Attach solar panels to back fill them during power outages and you got yourself a complete system...

MrEnergyCzar

By: Rob O'Keefe

Rob O'Keefe — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:41:47 +0000

Robert,

I think it's a good diea, but I would not expect to see this for RVs for many years. Modifying current and next generation automotive systems to support the very different requirements would mean extremely high development costs, especially when compared to the very low volumes of RVs manufactured.

It makes sense, to be at least, to get this technology into higher volume vehicles first like passenger cars/trucks, then later filter the technology down where it makes sense to scooters, motorcycles, RVs, etc...

But just my thoughts, for what they're worth... Personally, I'm driving a Volt and the next step for me is getting a solar system to charge it myself. All progress is good...

By: Robert Edwards

Robert Edwards — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:31:26 +0000

How about using them for RV applications. Inverters, converters, and chargers are already in place. Some (like ours) have solar panels to charge the batteries as well. It seems smart to me.