Move over Volt - Chrysler unveils three electric-cars
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 24 September 2008
Thought to be left for dead by the US scramble for hybrid and electric vehicles, Chrysler has surprised the industry by announcing that it will have three electric models ready for production by 2010.
Following the reveal of the Chevrolet Volt, Chrysler has revealed a Dodge EV, based on the Lotus Europa; an electric version of the Jeep Wrangler 4x4; and a electric Grand Voyager large MPV.
The larger vehicles use battery packs supported by an engine that charges the battery packs - the same system as seen in the Volt - to drive a 250-ish horsepower motor that will ensure a 40-mile range.
The presence of the Dodge model suggests a tie-up with Lotus is in the works. The all-electric Tesla Roadster is based on a Lotus Elise. Te sports-car figures are more impressive: a 268-horsepower electric motor will propel the car from 0 to 60 in less than five seconds, and a range of up to 200 miles will be provided by a charge in six to eight hours.
Chrysler says it will have fleets of 100 testing the new models next year, and one of the models could see full production by 2010 - most likely the Dodge model. The other models are likely to take longer due to the difficulty of integrating s new propulsion system in the existing platforms.
"We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer," says Bob Nardelli, chairman and CEO of Chrysler.
"The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market."
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