Until new nano lithium technology comes in later in 2009, mobile phone batteries are still notoriously flaky. Just when you need to make an important call the battery indicator tells you the charge is all but extinct. You may have conditioned your battery in line with all of the advice and old wives tales floating around but still have to re-charge yours every day. Short of buying a spare and keeping that charged what can you do?
When you do something processor intensive, plug in the charger. Not only because this usually triggers a higher performance setting and give you more horse power to play with, but because when the battery is discharged at maximum rate it's more probable to overheat, and heat is a great enemy of Lithium-Ion.
The Volt also brings something new to the table in that it is a sporty vehicle. The styling of the Prius is not exactly eddy stock cutting edge however the Volt takes it up a notch. With a sleek body and 21-inch wheels, it is sure to spice up the hybrid market.
2) Battery freshness: often overlooked. Always make sure you have the freshest battery possible. A battery can lose it's ability to hold a charge as time goes on. You want batteries that move off of shelves quickly to be sure they aren't old.
There are some concerns when it comes to these high powered batteries and how good they are for the environment. But all hybrid batteries are set to be recycled (Toyota has a $200 bounty on each Lithium battery stocks pack), and so unlike some lead batteries from conventional cars, they shouldn't end up in landfills.
External effects can be a radiator in your room or direct sunlight, or just simply a mind boggling ambient temperature. A Lithium mines Ontario-ion cell loses 20% of its maximum capacity in one year when it's stored on 40 degrees Celsius and full charge. Not too many people have 40 C in their room all year long, but what about internal heat sources? If you use your notebook from AC power, you're keeping it fully charged, which it doesn't fancy, and on about 40C.
Laptop computer uses: If you keep the battery in your laptop for everyday use, and power it from the wall socket, unplug the power every few days and let it run off the battery, as a battery at 40% capacity lasts longer than one at 100% capacity. if you don't travel with it, you should remove the laptop battery when on fixed power.
Compare the prices of regular cellphone batteries to cheap cellphone batteries and you will realize that you definitely got a good deal. Just have these batteries tested before buying them. See if these are compatible to your cellphone.