Chrysler Town and Country EV with 255 HP Hybrid Powertrain

In case you happened to overlook the discreet insignia, this is the Chrysler EV, one of three electric powered prototypes that were revealed today by Chrysler LLC. The other two vehicles were the Dodge Coupe EV and the Jeep Wrangler EV. Based on the Town and Country minivan, Chrysler's proposal utilizes the same hybrid system as the Jeep EV combining the electric-drive components of an Electric Vehicle with an integrated small-displacement engine and generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. If you're thinking Chevy Volt you're absolutely right as GM’s forthcoming hybrid uses a similar in philosophy drivetrain. -Continued

In the Chrysler EV the electric motor produces an output of 190 kW or 255 HP and 350 Nm or 258 lb.-ft. of torque, providing 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration in approximately nine seconds. Just like the Wrangler EV, the Chrysler Town and Country EV can drive 40 miles on all-electric power, and boasts a range of 400 miles on approximately eight gallons or 31 liters of gasoline.

Jeep EV: Plug-in Hybrid Study Hints at Production version

The Jeep EV is one of three electric-drive prototype models revealed today (see here) by Chrysler LLC. Unlike the Dodge EV that is equipped with an all-electric drivetrain, Jeep’s proposal that is based on the 5door Wrangler Unlimited features a hybrid system similar to the one used by GM on the Chevrolet Volt. What this means is that the Jeep EV uses an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. -Continued

The electric motor generates an output of 200 kW (268 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque. Chrysler supports that with approximately eight gallons or about 31 liters of gasoline, the Jeep EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation. As for performance, the Jeep EV sprints from zero to 60 mph (96 mph) in 9.0 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 90 mph or 145 km/h.

Chrysler officials said that along with the Jeep EV’s hybrid drivetrain, the company’s engineers are also exploring an advanced system with in-wheel electric motors that will offer the Wrangler EV a four-wheel-drive configuration.

Dodge EV: All-Electric 268HP Coupe Study Based on the Lotus Europa

At its World Headquarters in Auburn Hills today, Chrysler LLC revealed three all-electric prototype vehicles, the Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV, promising to have one of them available in the North American markets as soon as 2010 followed shortly after by Europe. Speaking at the presentation, Chrysler LLC’s CEO Bob Nardelli said: “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provide a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing EVs to market.” -Continued

We’ll start off our presentation of Chrysler’s all-electric-drive prototypes with the Tesla-like Dodge EV which is evidently based on the Lotus Europa. First of all we never liked the British coupe’s kit-car appearance and there’s no reason why that should change just because Chrysler threw in a set of Dodge logos and twin black racing stripes.

Styling aside, the two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive Dodge EV gets an electric-drive system that consists of the three main components: an electric motor, the lithium-ion battery stack and an integrated power controller.

The electric motor generates an output of 200 kW or 268 HP along with a massive 650 Nm (480 lb.-ft.) of torque, accelerating the Dodge EV from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than five seconds, with quarter-mile times of 13 seconds. According to Chrysler, the Dodge EV has a top speed of over than 120 mph or 196 km/h.

The lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged from any standard 110-volt household outlet in eight hours (4 hours by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet), offer the Dodge EV an adequate driving range of 150 to 200 miles (240 – 320 km).

GEM Peapod: Chrysler Introduces Smart Like All-Electric Minicar

This strange looking minicar is the all-electric GEM Peapod that is scheduled to enter production in 2009. GEM, which stands for GreenEcoMobility, is a small company owned by Chrysler LLC that specializes on electric vehicles (EV). Since its founding in 1998, GEM produced around 38,000 EVs which are primarily used in settings such as city centers, military bases, college campuses and national parks. According to Chrysler, the plug-in Peapod EV features a newly designed center console that will offer iPod integration, as well as hands-free operation of the iPhone while other innovations include supportive, mesh seating, which enables air circulation for comfort and uses eco-friendly recycled and recyclable materials. -Continued

“We have evolved the GEM design language to better reflect its eco-friendly performance and its upbeat, positive image,” said Peter Arnell, Chrysler LLC’s Chief Innovation Officer who led the design process. “These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. So whether it’s a trip around the neighborhood or the drive to school or work, the GEM Peapod is the ideal way to contribute to a greener planet, and a healthy lifestyle."

During the presentation of the 4-seat minicar, GEM’s CEO Bruce Coventry said that the Peapod represents the first in a series of product launches that will redefine the future of electric vehicles. The company did not reveal any technical details on the Peapod.

Mitsubishi to Test All-Electric i-MiEV in Iceland

Mitsubishi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iceland's Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism regarding the fleet testing of its all-electric i MiEV minicar. Proposed testing will begin in 2009. In Japan, the zero-emissions i MiEV is currently in fleet testing with seven electric power companies, and is getting for a 2009 market launch in Japan with Europe following in 2010. Based on Mitsubishi's "i" gasoline-powered minicar, the i MiEV adopts an electric motor developing 47kW and a 330-volt lithium-ion battery system located under the floor deck. According to Mitsubishi, a full charge delivers up to 100 miles or 160 km of electric driving.

Tesla to Build All-Electric Luxury Sedan in California in 2010

Continuing its investments, Tesla Motors announced that it is planning to build a $250 million facility to manufacture a zero-emission luxury sedan in the heart of Silicon Valley. Named Model S, the five-passenger sedan will be powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and according, it is expected to have a base price of $60,000 and get around 240 miles or 386 km per charge. The first sedans will likely roll off the Tesla’s new assembly line in late 2010. Tesla’s President and CEO Ze'ev Drori said that construction on the 89-acre site would begin in the summer of 2009 and when fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 1,000 workers. -Continued

The company also said that it will relocate its corporate headquarters and research and development efforts to a consolidated campus in San Jose, California. Tesla, which currently produces the all-electric, two-seater Lotus Elise-based Roadster, said that it chose San Jose in part because the region already enjoys a high concentration of highly skilled engineers and support infrastructure. The new factory will be located 20 miles from the current headquarters in San Carlos.

The new plant won’t affect the Roadster as Tesla has no plans of moving production from the Group Lotus PLC factory in Hethel, U.K. Last week the company said it was ramping up production as about 1,200 people have already put down deposits for the Roadster. So far, Tesla has delivered only about 30 Roadsters.

Picture Quiz: Who Designed the Chevrolet Volt?

All in all, GM gave out 13 pictures of people that took part in the development of the Chevrolet Volt electric hybrid. From this group of GM employees, six were involved in way or another with the Volt’s design. In the photo gallery after the jump there are two lead exterior designs, an exterior design manager, an interior design manager, a lead interior designer and a design director. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Think you can prove the saying right by distinguishing the designers from their coworkers in other departments? Just to help you out, we’ve added the first name of the employees on each photo. And since we're apparently being sarcastic, humorous answers will be widely appreciated. -Continued