Volt battery developer says temperature a problem for all batteries | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

CHICAGO — It's a tough week to be the guy who led development of the Chevy Volt's battery. Consumer Reports on Monday said its tests showed the battery's range at a paltry 23 to 28 miles in cold weather, far below the 40 miles originally promised.
...
But Bill Wallace, director of global battery systems for General Motors Corp., didn't flinch.

“It turns out batteries are like people: They love room temperature,” Wallace said Thursday at an energy forum at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.