SAE 2009: FEV shows off Dodge Caliber ER-EV concept

One of the vehicles at the FEV stand here at the SAE World Congress is this extended range electric Dodge Caliber. FEV isn't a supplier so the company has no interest in selling the powertrain it has developed for this Caliber. Instead, FEV wants to demonstrate its powertrain engineering and integration services capabilities. The company's engineers also wanted to learn more about controls, electrical architecture and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) issues for ER-EVs so two vehicles have been built for test purposes, this Dodge and a Fiat 500 that is being used in Europe.

The Dodge that is being shown in Detroit uses a motor and a generator provided by UQM. The 75 kW (peak) generator is driven by a 1.0-liter three cylinder engine. The 40-mile electric range is supplied by a 20 kWh lithium ion battery pack. FEV built the pack, but declined to say who supplied the cells. FEV has followed the same path as GM with the Voltec architecture using a T-shaped pack under the center tunnel and rear seat.