Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dodge Circuit - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a report from Reuters, Chrysler has disbanded its ENVI program and integrated the group back into its normal product development organization. Former ENVI head Lou Rhodes will now take the title of group line executive in charge of electric vehicle development and will manage that group for both Chrysler and Fiat. Though we weren't exactly expecting this change, the move isn't entirely surprising.

At this point, we don't yet know what this reorganization means for the electric vehicles that Chrysler had previously promised to put into production, the first of which was to be the Lotus-based Dodge Circuit that was hopefully supposed to be on the market by late 2010.

Fiat CEO and newly-appointed head of Chrysler Sergio Marchionne said earlier this week during Chrysler's painfully long new product plan presentation that electric vehicles are still a very tough proposition with current battery technology. In fact, the automaker expects that less than two percent of its lineup will be electric by 2014, which would amount to fewer than 60,000 vehicles per year.


Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV


[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Chrysler disbands ENVI group, EV development will continue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler electric carchrysler electric minivanchrysler electric vehiclechrysler electric vehicleschrysler envichrysler evChryslerElectricCarChryslerElectricMinivanChryslerElectricVehicleChryslerElectricVehiclesChryslerEnviChryslerEvdodge circuitDodgeCircuitenvilou rhodeslou rhodes chryslerlou rhodes enviLouRhodesLouRhodesChryslerLouRhodesEnviMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19227622/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/09/report-chrysler-disbands-envi-group-ev-development-will-contin/19227622/article-detail.xml 19227622 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/dodge-circuit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/dodge-circuit.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler submits $448m plan to build electric vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/chrysler-submits-a-448m-plan-to-build-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/chrysler-submits-a-448m-plan-to-build-electric-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/chrysler-submits-a-448m-plan-to-build-electric-vehicles/#comments
Chrysler Town & Country EV - Click above for a high-res gallery

Chrysler has submitted a series of plans to the U.S. Department of Energy intended to speed up the development of plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars and trucks under the DOE's Transportation Electrification Initiative and Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiatives. Under the terms of these initiatives, Chrysler and the DOE would each pay half of a total investment of $448 million.

If approved, Chrysler says it will build a new-vehicle electrification technology and manufacturing center at an unnamed location in Michigan that would have the capacity to produce 20,000 vehicles per year. The initial programs would focus on building 100 plug-in hybrid versions of the Dodge Ram pickup truck along with 100 plug-in hybrid Chrysler Town & Country minivans. Further, 165 fully electric Town & Country cargo vans would be used by the U.S. Postal Service for daily mail service.

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that today is also the day that Chrysler bankruptcy lawyers plan to file a motion to sell all of the automaker's best assets to the so-called New Chrysler group, which will likely be headed by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. We can only assume these PHEV and EV programs would be lumped in with the rest of the good stuff.


Gallery: 2011 Chrysler EVs


Gallery: Chrysler EV USPS mini-van


[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler submits $448m plan to build electric vehicles

Chrysler submits $448m plan to build electric vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler electric carchrysler electric minivanchrysler electric vanchrysler electric vehiclechrysler evchrysler ev uspschrysler llcChryslerElectricCarChryslerElectricMinivanChryslerElectricVanChryslerElectricVehicleChryslerEvChryslerEvUspsChryslerLlcdodge ramdodge ram phevDodgeRamDodgeRamPhevplug-in dodge ramPlug-inDodgeRamWed, 27 May 2009 12:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19049219/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/27/chrysler-submits-a-448m-plan-to-build-electric-vehicles/19049219/article-detail.xml 19049219 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/chrysler_tc_ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/chrysler_tc_ev.jpg <![CDATA[Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/driving-the-dodge-circuit-now-with-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/driving-the-dodge-circuit-now-with-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/driving-the-dodge-circuit-now-with-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above to view the video after the jump

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to step into the Dodge Circuit for a quick spin around downtown Detroit. During the course of the drive, we shot some video of our time with Chrysler's EV while getting the run-through on the Circuit's technology from John Myers, the EV's project lead and ENVI employee. The bumpy roads weren't quite long and straight enough for our liking, but we did get the chance to learn a bit more about Chrysler's EV strategy and why the automaker thinks its ENVI battery program is better than Tesla's. Hit the jump to watch the video.


Gallery: SAE 2009: Dodge Circuit quick drive

Continue reading Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video

Driving the Dodge Circuit, now with video originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler electric carchrysler electric vehiclechrysler evChryslerElectricCarChryslerElectricVehicleChryslerEvdodge circuitdodge circuit evdodge evDodgeCircuitDodgeCircuitEvDodgeEvMon, 11 May 2009 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1542927/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/11/driving-the-dodge-circuit-now-with-video/1542927/article-detail.xml 1542927 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/circuit-cap-580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/circuit-cap-580.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: Dodge EV caught late-night testing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/dodge-ev-caught-late-night-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/dodge-ev-caught-late-night-testing/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/08/dodge-ev-caught-late-night-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Now that Chrysler has heard that it's likely to get an extra shot of green from the Feds, development of its green Dodge EV can continue on as planned. Fortunately for us, spy shooters have managed to snag some shots of the new electric sports car out testing late at night. Although the ISO has been boosted through the roof in an effort to capture the cars in the dark sans head lamps, we can clearly see that Chrysler's been busy adding Dodge-specific styling elements to the Lotus Europa bodyshell that was used for the EV concept. The front-end of the car now looks like it rolled out of the Pentastar styling studios with the corporate crosshair grille present and accounted for, which makes the EV look more like the Demon concept from Geneva in '07. With the help of Lotus, which is donating its engineering expertise to Chrysler's project, and UQM Technologies, which is supplying the electric powertrain, Chrysler may actually be able to shock the world by bringing an electric sportscar to market in 2010.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Spy Shots: Dodge EV caught late-night testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of Chrysler's three new EVs

As we learned this morning from Bob Nardelli's appearance on CNBC, Chrysler LLC is getting into the electric vehicle game and plans to have something on the market by the end of 2010 - the same time GM plans to start selling the 2011 Chevy Volt. The vehicle in question will be one of these three EVs, all of which are powered fully or in part by electrons.

The first and perhaps most exciting is the Dodge EV, which is an all-electric sports car like the Tesla Roadster. In fact, Chrysler seems to have taken a few pages from Tesla's playbook, which is evident by the fact that its EV is wearing the body of a Lotus Europa at the moment. Lotus also worked with Tesla on the development of its Roadster and is probably offering its expertise in electronics and lightweight vehicle design to any automaker willing to pay for it.

Chrysler says the Dodge EV uses a 200kW or 268 equivalent horsepower electric motor mated to an "advanced lithium-ion battery pack and an integrated power control module". Peak torque is 480 lb-ft, which helps propel the lightweight Europ... Dodge EV to 60 mph in less than five seconds and a 120 mph top speed. Its range is pegged at between 150 to 200 miles with recharge times of 8 hours for 110-volt outlets and four hours using a 220-volt.

Gallery: Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV

Continue reading Chrysler LLC debuts Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV

Chrysler LLC debuts Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingchrysler electric vehiclechrysler EVchrysler range-extendingChryslerElectricVehicleChryslerEvChryslerRange-extendingdodge EVDodgeEvJeep EVJeepEvTue, 23 Sep 2008 13:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1322318/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/23/chrysler-llc-debuts-dodge-ev-jeep-ev-and-chrysler-ev/1322318/article-detail.xml 1322318 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/04_chrysler_evs_sept_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/04_chrysler_evs_sept_opt.jpg <![CDATA[It's electrifying! Chrysler to show dealers three EVs with production in mind]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/its-electrifying-chrysler-to-show-dealers-three-evs-with-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/its-electrifying-chrysler-to-show-dealers-three-evs-with-produ/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/03/its-electrifying-chrysler-to-show-dealers-three-evs-with-produ/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more hi-res images of the Dodge Zeo concept

While everyone is aware of what GM, Honda and Toyota have been up to when it comes to fuel-saving technology, Chrysler has been playing it close to the chest. The Auburn Hills-based automaker, however, will show its dealers three new all-electric cars at the end of this month that are said to be production capable. Jim Press, the Chrysler exec who came from rival and current hybrid-leader Toyota, added that Chrysler's future platforms were being designed with electrification in mind and that is still has access to technology from its previous owner, Daimler.

Like General Motors, Chrysler seems convinced that its EVs need to have plug-in capability. The goal, says Press, is 300 miles of range. To make that a reality, a very good set of batteries will be necessary - likely lithium-ions - and Press assures us that his company is working with multiple suppliers. Will any of the production-ready models be anything like the concepts shown off last year in Detroit? We'll see.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

It's electrifying! Chrysler to show dealers three EVs with production in mind originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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