Electrifying future for Chrysler

The Tesla sports car has been an epiphany for car companies. An attractively styled sports car (more here), the electrically-powered Tesla has demonstrated that electric-powered vehicles don't have to be high-riding and tiny with a short range and low performance.

Chrysler is jumping on the zero-emissions bandwagon with three vehicles developed for proof of concept. The three, a Dodge sports car, Grand Voyager and Jeep Wrangler, were chosen for the very fact each one represents its respective Chrysler division and each is an example of a different platform which will readily work with electric power.

One vehicle is a rear-wheel drive (Dodge), one is a front-wheel drive monocoque (Grand Voyager) and one is a four-wheel drive with full chassis (Wrangler).

Chrysler intends for at least one electric vehicle to go into production from 2010, with electric power gradually introduced across platforms, as the prototypes' existence implies.

Initially, the production electric vehicle will be produced for North American markets only, although Europe will follow in due course. Chrysler's initiative is following the lead of GM with its Chevrolet Volt (more here), and as for the Volt, the three Chrysler prototypes are equipped with a range-extending internal-combustion engine.

The electric-drive vehicles are powered by a three-element system, comprising electric motor, lithium-ion battery and energy-flow controller.

The Dodge EV is powered by a 200kW electric motor which also develops 650Nm of torque. The only downside is the eight-hour recharge time, which with Australia's 240-Volt AC mains power supply instead of the 110-Volt system in the US, would be cut by half.

In the case of the Wrangler-based Jeep EV, the range on electric power only is 40 miles (about 64km), but with its range extender, can travel as far as 400 miles (644km). The 200kW electric motor develops 400Nm of torque. 

Developed around the Grand Voyager, the Chrysler EV's 190kW electric motor develops 350Nm of torque and, as for the Jeep EV, has a 40-mile range on just electric power or a 400-mile range with the range extender consuming eight gallons (approximately 36 litres) of fuel.

"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," said Frank Klegon, Chrysler's Executive Vice President for Product Development

"One of the challenges with electric vehicles is finding a battery with the correct balance between power -- for example, during vehicle acceleration -- and energy for long driving range," said Klegon.

"We believe that combining two unique battery chemistries -- one biased toward power and the other toward energy -- into a single battery pack is very promising for a future Chrysler Electric Vehicle."

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