Who ever thought a car battery could be used to provide electricity in households, or even communities? General Motors Company sprung the idea of using the old car batteries found in the new 2011 Chevrolet Volt vehicle that is set to launch later this year. Even after several years of use to the lithium ion battery in the Volt, GM in partnership with power grid supplier ABB Corporation claims they will have the ability to provide renewable energy sources. The batteries can accumulate energy from wind and solar power, and be available for use at any point. Chevrolet also offers an eight-year, hundred thousand-mile warranty, the longest in the automotive industry, signaling their confidence in the battery’s capabilities.
Such an innovative idea seems attractive to both consumers and businesses. For consumers, they can use the Volt battery to power households when the electricity fails, or a power supply for entire communities. Businesses are constantly scanning for cost-efficient productivity. The Volt battery could store less expensive energy during off-peak hours to use during peak demand, cutting energy costs significantly.
From the outside, this pioneering idea seems glamorous for many people. However, General Motors is but one of thousands of companies in search of eco-friendly, energy efficient ideas to present to the world. A simple example is Cape Wind, a company using giant wind turbines collecting energy and providing electricity to Cape Cod, MA. To even compete in today’s business world, companies are faced with the environmentally friendly trend to improve the Earth. Thus, it is no surprise companies like General Motors are introducing such innovative thinking.
When exactly will this “environmentally beneficial” energy actually reach households and businesses? The Chevy Volt release date is set for November 2010, but GM CEO Ed Whitacre is scared the vehicles may be delivered with mechanical problems usually fixed with the final stages of production.[i] In 2009, Volt manufacturing plants were delayed in production due to GM’s lack of money.[ii] Delays in production cause skepticism for viewers on this article wondering when the energy will be put into use.
Most consumers today would probably say they use a car from seven to ten years. If the first Volt drivers dismiss the car in about eight years, then one cannot expect to see the reusable battery in action until at least the year 2020. Even lessees or early trade-ins to dealers will have the Volt back on the road with another driver. If it will take until then to put this innovate idea into full use, then why should citizens care about this plan? Buyers will qualify for a $7,500 tax credit from the government.[iii] This is essentially a lose situation for the government because while they hand out credits to “eco-friendly drivers,” the possibility of seeing the lithium batteries in effect remains years away. So before GM pats itself on the back, consumers ought to realize the skepticism involved on the $41,000 vehicle. Numerous other countries are constantly working on energy efficient products and reusable energy sources so one can bet they will observe more productive energy sources by 2020.
[i] http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/01/plans-to-release-the-chevy-volt-early-hit-a-speedbump/
[ii] http://green.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/gm-delays-building-volt-engine-plant-in-flint/
[iii] http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20011763-54.html?tag=mncol;txt
Article Source: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20017118-76.html
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