Charging Ahead All Along

Words: Ross Ruehle

Keeping a secret in the auto industry is tantamount to nailing Jell-O to a tree. In other words, very difficult.

Spy photographers camp out in trees and in the snow to catch shots of camouflaged prototypes. With the click of a button, the images are zapped around the world on the Internet for all to see. “Moles” inside auto companies routinely—and anonymously—spill the beans about upcoming product plans, and hope to get similar information in return to one-up the competition.

Perhaps that’s why the industry and media were caught somewhat flat-footed when Chrysler last September introduced three new advanced electric-drive vehicle prototypes, one of which is targeted for production in 2010. The new vehicles represent all three Chrysler LLC brands and two different technologies: Electric-only and an electric/gasoline combo.

While Chevrolet made a lot of noise last year about its Volt electric vehicle (EV) also coming in 2010, Chrysler didn’t have much to say on the subject at last year’s North American International Auto Show. Even dealers were quietly wondering if Chrysler was going to come to the EV party with gasoline running well north of $4.00 for much of 2008. How about a good dose of 220 to wake you up?

Turns out an organization within Chrysler called ENVI (first four letters of environmental) has had a very aggressive electric-drive vehicle program underway at the company’s Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters for nearly two years.

Company officials said that it is well into the development of advanced, production-intent electric vehicles, and that it will apply electric-drive technology to its front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive platforms in the coming years.

Under the veil of secrecy, ENVI has developed an all-electric Dodge sports car and two Range-extended Electric Vehicles—A Chrysler minivan and a Jeep® Wrangler. For the record, all three lack actual model names and are simply referred to as Dodge EV, Chrysler EV and Jeep EV.

“ENVI was created with the strategic intent to develop electric-drive vehicles quickly for Chrysler, and it’s surpassing expectations, said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President. “With ENVI, Chrysler is developing technologies to bring electric vehicles and extremely fuel-efficient Range-extended Electric Vehicles (REV) to market.”

Electric Vehicle Technology

Chrysler’s pure electric vehicles use just three primary components: An electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow. This electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-, rear-wheel- and four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.

If you’re used to hearing about electric vehicles that have a real-world range of just 40 or 50 miles before needing more juice, take note.

“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,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President of Product Development, noting that 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day. “Electric vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills, all while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire.”

Range-extended Electric Vehicle Technology

The Range-extended Electric Vehicle (REV) combines the electric-drive components of an electric vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This approach combines the positive attributes of an electric vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today’s gasoline-powered vehicles with no compromise in performance.

Since REVs offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, performance or utility, could REVs be the SUVs for the next generation? Stay tuned. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at each of Chrysler’s electric-drive prototypes.

Dodge EV

Here are some thoughts that heretofore would not have fit well into the same puzzle: Electric vehicle. Two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports car. Sixty miles per hour in under five seconds. Top speed of more than 120 mph. Put another way, the Dodge EV is no glorified golf cart. It’s no less than a Lotus-bodied sportster that any driving enthusiast would be proud to show off.

The Dodge EV’s 200 kW electric-drive motor generates 480 lb-ft of torque. And that’s an instant 480 lb-ft, which explains the Dodge EV’s performance and acceleration. And with a driving range of 150 to 200 miles, the Dodge EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day.

When its time to “refuel,” six to eight hours on a standard 110-volt power outlet gets you a full “tank.” You can cut that time in half with a 220-volt household appliance outlet.

Jeep® EV

It’s no secret that off-road adventures are a big part of life for a lot of Jeep vehicle owners. And while there might appear to be a mismatch between off-roading and electric vehicles, Chrysler is proving that the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

The Jeep EV is one of Chrysler’s two Range-extended Electric Vehicles that offers a glimpse into the future of a “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” vehicle with the capability of a Jeep Wrangler.

Actually, the notion of an environmentally friendly vehicle and off-roading is not at all far-fetched. The Jeep EV is in perfect synch with the ultimate “Tread Lightly” mindset. Now nature ambassadors have the ability to roam the planet and take care of it at the same time.

The Jeep EV uses an electric-drive motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Its 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor generates 295 lb-ft of torque. Throw about eight gallons of gasoline into the mix and what you have is a Jeep Wrangler with a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of no-gas, no-emissions, all-electric operation.

“We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI’s advanced electric-drive technologies,” said Lou Rhodes, Vice President of Advance Vehicle Engineering and ENVI’s president.

Rhodes added that the instant full torque inherent to electric-drive motors and the ability to precisely control each wheel independently results in off-road capability ideally suited for the Jeep brand.

Chrysler EV

Like the Jeep EV, the Chrysler EV development vehicle is also a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that demonstrates another possible application of ENVI electric-drive technology, here in the segment-leading Chrysler Town & Country.

“With the Chrysler EV, we are able to blend seven-passenger capability and the luxury of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan with electric-drive technology, demonstrating family practicality with zero compromise,” said Rhodes.

Much like the Jeep EV, the Chrysler EV is a Range-extended Electric Vehicle featuring an electric motor and an integrated small-displacement engine and generator to produce additional electricity to power the electric-drive system when needed.

The Chrysler EV features a 190 kW motor that produces 258 lb-ft of torque for a 0–60 mph run of approximately nine seconds. Also like the Jeep EV, the Chrysler EV boasts a range of 400 miles with 40 miles on all-electric power.

Coming of Age

There’s nothing new about electric vehicles. They’ve been around in one form or another since the mid-1800s (see Sidebar).

The challenge has always been packaging an electric vehicle with the functionality and utility that American consumers can accept at the cost that they demand. Studies have shown that consumers want:

• Driving range comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles.
• No compromise when it comes to utility and storage space.
• Vehicle cost comparable to today’s cars and trucks.

Until now, however, this dilemma has been your basic “pick two” scenario. If you want driving range comparable to today’s vehicles, for example, you’ll suffer when it comes to cost and utility due to the size of the battery pack that would be needed. Or if you want an EV at a cost of today’s cars and trucks, you’ll lose when it comes to driving range.

Chrysler, and its ENVI organization, appears to have broken through these barriers with its current fleet of electric-drive development vehicles. Sporty, functional, capable, and technologically advanced, these three new prototype vehicles are opening a new chapter on the electric-drive vehicle scene.

It may be hard to keep secrets in the auto industry, but there can now be no question that Chrysler has been charging ahead all along.

Need More Information?

Chrysler LLC has launched a Web site that gives consumers the chance to view the latest updates on Electric Vehicles and Range-extended Electric Vehicles. Content at the site includes videos, photography and news. Plus you can sign up for updates. The site also features a blog where you can share information with Chrysler. Check it out at www.chryslergoeselectric.com.