In low external temperatures, the battery is quickly brought up to operating temperature with the aid of an electric heating element.

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And last spring, the company redesigned the oven, replacing the traditional light bulb used for baking with an electric heating element, then switching the oven's door from the side to the front.

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Batteries for Chevy's all-electric Volt car, for example, won't depend on that element, Mintzer says.

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