23 Sep 08 15:49
Dodge EV
Chrysler has unveiled the Dodge EV, a Lotus-based vehicle with an electric powertrain.
The Dodge EV is based on the Lotus Europa coupe, but has a Tesla Roadster-like electric powertrain offering 0-60mph acceleration in less than five seconds. It's said to have a range of 150-200 miles between recharges and it can be fully charged in just four hours, using a 220-volt domestic power supply. A prototype is currently under testing.
Chrysler is also working on a four-door Jeep Wrangler-based extended-range electric vehicle (similar in concept to the Chevrolet Volt) which can do 40 miles in electric-only mode and up to 400 miles with its small engine in operation and a similarly-propelled Town & Country/Voyager MPV. It plans to have at least one of these vehicles in production by 2010.
Further down the line, Chrysler is developing a fully-electric car codenamed ENVI and a tiny electric runaround called 'peapod'.
Chrysler has decided to showcase these vehicles now as part of its bid for a bailout from national funds and to demonstrate, despite its financial difficulties, it is working on a number of new products relevant to the future. The US government is planning a series of low-cost loans for all three of the Detroit car-makers.
