Up Front

Charging Ahead

Electric vehicles are not new. Far from it, in fact.

From 1832 to 1839, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson invented the first crude electric carriage powered by non-rechargeable primary cells. On this side of the pond, American Thomas Davenport is credited with building the first practical electric vehicle—a small locomotive of sorts—in 1835.

Ever since, interest in electric vehicles has ebbed and flowed with the times. But technology has made a steady march of progress. Many Americans perceive electric vehicles to be nothing more than glorified golf carts (and some are). But rapid-fire technological advances have allowed auto companies and battery manufactured to develop electric vehicle technology unforeseen a generation ago.

There are a number of reasons why there should be a place for electric vehicles on American roads. As a nation, the United States imports considerably more than half of the petroleum we use from foreign countries. And many of these countries are in volatile parts of the world like the Middle East where cartels such as OPEC control our destiny. You need only look back to last year when gasoline was going for nearly $4.50 a gallon to be reminded that our future is uncertain when we rely largely on OPEC for the foundation of our economy. Less than two percent of U.S. electricity is generated from oil, so using electricity as a transportation fuel would reduce our dependence on foreign petroleum. Also, electric vehicles are more efficient. Consider: Whereas only about 20 percent of the chemical energy in gasoline gets converted into useful work at the wheels of an internal combustion vehicle, 75 percent or more of the energy of a battery reaches the wheels. And, of course, the obvious. Pure electric vehicles are called Zero Emission Vehicles for a reason. They produce no tailpipe emissions.

Last September, Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli unveiled three all-new electric-drive development vehicles created quietly over the past couple of years by the company’s ENVI organization. These vehicles include a front-wheel-drive Chrysler minivan, a rear-wheel-drive Dodge sports car and a four-wheel-drive Jeep® Wrangler. One of these vehicles is targeted for production next year. You can learn more about Chrysler’s innovative electric-drive vehicle program on page 10.

Oh, by the way. The Dodge EV? Zero to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds and a driving range of 150 to 200 miles.

Glorified golf carts? Not so much.

—Editor