Anybody know what were the results of this vibration testing? Do the batteries degrade over time under vibration due to localized cathode-anode shifting in the battery structure? Were they looking at any specific issues related to the battery pack?

Leon, I am not sure you see the point of why GM chose 40 miles. as you mentioned the Tesla gets about 230 miles per charge, that amazing! But it is expensive, $109,000 expensive to be exact. By downsizing the battery GM can give most (around 80%) of consumers a viable alternative to using gas, because the average person in America drives less than 40 miles a day. So by not having to carry that extra mass of a battery with an extreme range and replacing it with a lighter gas engine to keep the car running after 40 miles, GM has enabled itself to make a more affordable and practical electric vehicle.

despite the bad joke, their decision by 40 miles, is a wrong decision, because currently there are batteries capable of supplying the engine for more than 200 miles. Tesla car has exceeded 230 miles on autonomy, and with a 248 horsepower engine on it ! BMW Concep V at middle of development, based on a already produced and tested car (Serie 1), starts with 160 miles with a 170HP engine.I read yesteday that in the end of 2011, is expected that the new battery pack that they are developing will be able to rival the Tesla's autonomy. No matter the Volt have a range extender, 40 miles of automony is already obsolete . I still say it is to justify the use of fuel and not displease the oil industry.

Leon, regardless of language issues, your attempt at humor is very lame. I have to assume you didn't understand when he said after the first 40 miles a small 4-cylinder gasoline ICE creates electricity on-board using a generator to extend the Volt's range to around 300 miles. You could have criticized their decision to cut down the size of the gas tank to reduce the range from 600 to 320 miles because they figure "drivers bladders wouldn't hold out". Good that you are going into movies, your no loss to the tech world.

I´m brazilian Liza, sorry about my english not as perfect as yours.Here in mu country, we do have much opportunities to practice english.
I am graduated in electronic engineering, mechanical technician and mathematics. Also I love cinema and audiovisual, so I decided to do one more 4 years College Degree and will graduate in Cinema in June this year. sorry if my English is not good or I missed a few letters typed. What I tried to say is that if GM had used a car ready, tested and that were already being sold and therefore earning money it would save many thousands of dollars to offer the same product. Best regards, Leon

Hey Leon! Get a spell checker! Heck, go back to elementary school and educate yourself in grammar 101! You've got to be kidding! I think that General Motors has taken the bull-by-the-horn with the Volt! They have wasted no more money than Toyota will spend with the millions of recalls for dangerous acceleration in numerous models! People will buy the Volt and will benefit from the new technology! Forty miles is not so ridiculous! Not to mention the 50 mpg the car gets after it travels past the initial forty miles. No wasted money here Mr. Unger! Just money saved by thousands tax paying americans trying to release the grip of the oil conglomerates! Thank-you Lisa K. Koopman from Indiana.

oh my god ! This test was the most boring in the world , because this car only runs 40 miles , and have to be stop the test, recharge, and continues ... GM shoud have spent ages on this endeavour .... ah ah ah ah ...(i´m joking)!!!
Now seriously : If GM do not made another mystake, and used a already proven and tested a production vehicle that is making money already, will saves a large amount of money.
Why do not transform a already produced car in a electic vehicle, even runs the ridiculous 40 miles ? This car is automatically aproved to get the steets.And receives the VOLT name ...NO !! GN have to build a new car from scratch. This test is just wasted money.