How is GM going to address the Volt's heat issue from the Lithium Ion batteries?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Oct 1 2007, 08:28 PM) [snapback]520070[/snapback]</div>

Tesla are using old-skool lithium-cobalt-oxide batteries for the roadster, and these DO have problems with thermal runaway etc. However, the main reason for the cooling system is to keep them at a nice 20oC or so for longevity purposes (temperature cycling, such as you'd get every day parked outside, causes expansion/contraction of the electrodes and cause micro-fissures over time and this is really what kills the calender life of lithium-cobalt based batteries).

Why do Tesla and why did Toyota still choose to pursue cobalt-oxide based batteries? Because the energy density is high (>200 Wh/kg) and there are established high volume manufacturers of this chemistry already. The downsides of course are safety, cycle-life, longevity and recharge time when compared to the alternative chemistries (phosphate and titanate).