GM's Volt couldn't get all of the attention, could it? Chrysler recently hosted a conference call to talk to media about their plans for an upcoming electric vehicle system, as well as the products that could be using it in the very near future.
Chrysler officials announced that the automaker's electric car efforts have led to several production-intent prototypes, and that one of them would be coming to market in 2010. The automaker's ENVI group is behind the development of the electric vehicles.
"ENVI is a company within a company' said Tom LaSorda, VP and President of Chrysler LLC. "Its strategic intent is to quickly produce electric vehicles for Chrysler. We've got three prototypes, and one of them will come to market in North America in 2010. Next year, about 100 units will be tested by governments and industry as well".
One of the prototype models is a completely electric two-seat Dodge sports car that employs a 268 horsepower motor with nearly 500 lb.-ft of torque. Electric motors make all of their power at any RPM, and sub five-second 0-60 passes are predicted. The Dodge Electric Vehicle (EV) is plugged into a standard 120 volt household outlet for an 8 hour recharge, though a 4 hour recharge is possible on a 220 volt outlet.
The Dodge EV has no emissions, and Chrysler is working with the Department of Energy- as well as General Electric- on battery technology for the machines. No supplier has been chosen at this time.
"This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150 to 200 mile driving range - far exceeding most Americans' daily commutes" explained Frank Klegon, Chrysler's Executive V.P. of Product Development. "Electric Vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire."
Two 'range extended' versions of Chrysler Group vehicles were created in addition to the Dodge EV concept. In either of the range extended models, the electric system is paired with a gas engine and an integrated generator to recharge the batteries while driving.
A Town and Country minivan is being explored, as is a Jeep Wrangler that boasts full off-road capability. Either of these vehicles can travel over 40 miles before the gas engine needs to engage to recharge the batteries. If the owner drives less than the 40 mile electric-only range, they can simply recharge the vehicle and not use any gasoline.
It's not yet clear which of the 3 prototypes will come to market first, or even how Chrysler will decide which one to choose.
"The reason we're keeping the suspense out there is because we're still in the development stages" LaSorda said. "For now, the technology is being developed in parallel across models on proven platforms- and we'll see what happens a little further down the line".
Chrysler says that their electric vehicle technology will be matched to any vehicles using it, regardless of the driveline or body construction. Nothing is out of the question- from a small front-drive electric car to a range-extended gas-electric pickup.
Though pricing, production and many other details have yet to be announced, LaSorda mentioned that other 'surprises' may be possible- and that his company has no plans to limit the scope of their electric vehicle projects to just 3 cars.
First published by Auto123.com
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