Thanks so much for all of the information. I'd been under the assumption that the only real advances in battery technology had been in reducing the weight and volume.
The Li-FePo4 that Neven linked to seems to be the answer to most of my questions. It's ability to perform under temperature extremes was totally unexpected & opens far more avenues for their use than I'd imagined.
IIRC when VW vans were first marketed in Canada an option made available was a gasoline powered heater. While it might be defeating the primary reason for purchasing a plug in car, a small, optional, propane space heater could overcome at least that perceived problem. It would need to be designed for that specific use as an off the shelf heater could poison the passengers.
All electric vehicles are available here in Canada, although I still haven't found one small enough to get on the elevator so that I can bring it up to charge it. Seriously, for those of us living in high rises, this technology may pass us by until building owners wire our parking floors. Easy to do as a building is going up, but unlikely to be offered as a retro-fit.
In Northern Quebec, Chisasibi at least, every parking meter has a 110v outlet, apparently for block heaters during winter months. I doubt that the wiring is heavy enough for recharging circuit's, but it would work nicely for those needing a boost while stopping for shopping or dinning.
Terry
