Chrysler LLC’s three advanced production-intent electric vehicle prototype vehicles are headed to California where they will make their worldwide auto show debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The vehicles—the Dodge EV, Jeep® EV and Chrysler EV—will be on display during press days (Nov. 19-20), and throughout the show’s public days (Nov. 21-30). Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President—Product Development, will attend the show tomorrow to discuss the vehicles with journalists.
Chrysler recently announced that at least one of these models will be produced in 2010 for consumers in North American markets, and European markets after 2010. Additionally, the company will have close to 100 electric vehicles on the road in government, business and development fleets in 2009.
Chrysler is well into the development of advanced production-intent electric vehicles, and will apply its electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the next several years.
“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,” Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli, said. “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.”
Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles use just three primary components. These include an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.
“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, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year,” Klegon said. “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.”
The range-extended electric vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the electric vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today’s gasoline-powered vehicles—with no compromises in performance.
Range-extended electric vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility.