Preliminary battery life testing shows all-day productivity with a single battery charge1, an advantage for road warriors and always on-the-go sales executives.
Ford's doubling of its battery-testing capabilities is one example of how crucial time is maximized as the company no longer has to search for the right supplier with the right equipment to quickly perform specific tests.
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Several companies have already started field-testing battery-electric passenger cars and light trucks for use in their fleets.
Boeing did some of the safety testing on the 787 battery system, but much of the testing was done by a subcontractor, Thales of France, which made the 787's electrical system, and by battery maker GS Yuasa of Japan, according to a previously released NTSB report.
"The Spark EV battery has undergone more than 200, 000 hours of testing in our global battery systems labs, " said Pamela Fletcher, Chevrolet executive chief engineer of electrified vehicles.
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Nevertheless, the testing showed that a standard lithium laptop battery, which is much smaller than the models on the Dreamliner, "could pose a significant smoke hazard" in the cockpit, the report said.
Based on EPA testing, Volt owners can expect an average battery range of 35 miles, which is sufficient for modest daily commutes and weekend shopping excursions.
This is by no means conclusive testing, but in terms of anecdotal observation, battery life may be a concern.
It does have a tasteful, understated design and decent battery life -- we'll say that much -- but in our testing we've been pretty underwhelmed by the jumpy trackpad.
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While he expectedly heard from automotive and battery brands, Agag notes that many mainstream, traditionally non-motorsports companies have begun testing the waters of a future partnership.
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What's more, the battery will apparently not require any design changes on the part of laptop manufacturers, with HP already working with the company in the testing and validation process -- and presumably set to be one of the first to offer the battery.
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