Right now on CNBC, Chrysler is unveiling its new EV and gas friendly line up of cars for the upcoming model years.
http://thumbnails.cnbc.com/CNBCVideo_Media/825/723/3ED3-SB-ChryslersNewsRidesTHUMB_sm.jpg
CNBC-Video (http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=864784364)

Background stories:
Chrysler's EV?
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/automotive/story.html?id=09d784d9-9f85-4da8-a968-55cda3e62d69

Chrysler in talks for EV batteries
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSBNG25350920080923

The Big 3 looks like they are coming around. Chrysler was the only automaker that did not produce EV's in the 1996 era. Today, they are jumping on board... full charge ahead!:D

UPDATE
FOUR new EV's were announced live on CNBC: Dodge EV, Jeep EV, (A minivan EV) and a NEV called Gem.

The Dodge EV is the flagship vehicle. The car can do 0-60 in 5 seconds as driven by the news reporter live on TV! The car has a reported 100+ mile range. The Dodge EV can also take a full charge in 8 hours using a standard 120V outlet.

The Jeep EV will feature four wheel motors! Range on electric is 40 miles with an on-board 1.0 Liter engine that extends range to 400 miles.

The minivan EV will have a 40 mile electric and 400 mile hybrid mode range.

Is it me or does the Dodge EV look alot like a Tesla?

Hmm, $25 Billion bailout on the table and all of a sudden electric cars come out of the woodwork:D

I think this is awesome! The consumer is the winner in all of this!

oops! I reported it too!

Anyway, agree with you all about the competition. The only thing to know right now is the price range of Chrysler's offering.

Is it me or does the Dodge EV look alot like a Tesla?

That's because it too is built by Lotus, just like the Tesla. The Tesla is a converted Lotus Elise and the Dodge is a converted Lotus Europa. I suspect it will also share some of the Tesla drive train. I want one! If it can priced for regular folks like me. If it's in the price range of the Tesla, then it's not for me.

Here's another story on it from Popular Mechanics.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4284293.html

Here's the link to the story on the new Chrysler EVs in Automotive News Online:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20080923/ANA02/809239991/1186
WOT

No Price.

Who has guts? GM or Chrysler? :eek:

So if I understand correctly:

1 van
1 sports car
1 Jeep
I unknown (Gem).

So if I understand correctly:

1 van
1 sports car
1 Jeep
I unknown (Gem).


The Gem is a "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle", which means it's top speed will max out at 30-35mph... to appeal to people who don't ever need to travel long distances or get on a freeway/expressway.

The Gem is a "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle", which means it's top speed will max out at 30-35mph... to appeal to people who don't ever need to travel long distances or get on a freeway/expressway.


OK, so there is still no planned "regular car" version then. How typical of Chrysler.

The Gem is a "Neighborhood Electric Vehicle", which means it's top speed will max out at 30-35mph... to appeal to people who don't ever need to travel long distances or get on a freeway/expressway.

So it's essentially an enclosed golf cart with A/C?

A few years ago I put 100,000 miles on a Jeep Wrangler and I loved that little rig. I WANT THE EV VERSION I SEE HERE. Sorry Chevy, but there may just be another Jeep in my near future.

Not to dampen the enthusiasm of what Chrysler has to offer, but in one of the articles that I have read (sorry, forgot to copy the link), it was mentioned that the electric mile ranges are still way out of reach by Chrysler. They haven't attained the target specs yet as of the surprised announcement. Unlike the Volt, GM is confident that they have achieved those ranges already by tweaking the aerodynamics and battery performance and that people won't be disappointed. So Chrysler has still some hard work to do before the range of the electric mode is at least at par with those of GM's Volt, and they hope to be ready by 2010.

OK, so there is still no planned "regular car" version then. How typical of Chrysler.

Personally, I think Chrysler is going WAY OUT OF THEIR WAY to not compete with the Volt... and the Gem is proof of that. They are investing in alternatives to the Volt that will hit the market, in some cases, as fast as the Volt.

Which means they are trying to steal people away from buying the volt. :eek:

The Big 3 looks like they are coming around. Chrysler was the only automaker that did not produce EV's in the 1996 era. Today, they are jumping on board... full charge ahead!:D


Does the Dodge Epic ring a bell? It was a modified Caravan and got 80 MPC using NiMH batteries.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/20000204/press007296.html

Personally, I think Chrysler is going WAY OUT OF THEIR WAY to not compete with the Volt... and the Gem is proof of that. They are investing in alternatives to the Volt that will hit the market, in some cases, as fast as the Volt.

Which means they are trying to steal people away from buying the volt. :eek:

The Voyager and Wrangler conversions are direct competitors to the Volt, being range-extended electric vehicles. This just shows that Chrysler understands that all of their vehicles are completely dispensible, with the exception of the mini-vans and Jeeps. Were I Chrysler, I would be converting my bread-and-butter vehicles that are #1 in their class also.

I like the fact that Chrysler is releasing an EV Jeep as well. By producing a broad line up of cars Chrysler will ensure that they have enough vehicles to mee the market place demand.

If you worry that no one would buy these EV's. Go visit your local Toyota dealer and ask for anything hybrid.:D

I like the fact that Chrysler is releasing an EV Jeep as well.

Actually, Chrysler hasn't confirmed releasing anything yet. The three vehicles revealed are considered concepts and they said they are hoping to choose one of the three for 2010 production. These concepts mostly serve to remind the public that Chrysler isn't dead yet and that hopefully they have a future. I believe the Jeep and Mini Van are cheasy publicity stunts. In the form they are shown, they will never see the inside of a dealership and never by 2010.

The sportscar I think is what we'll see come to market. It is the most developed and the one with the least amount of technical problems to solve. Also it will be the easiest to sell for a high price tag, attract the most visibility for the company and replace the Viper that is schedualed for retirement. They just threw the Jeep and Van in to steal some of the Volt's thunder and to guage public interest in vehicles like this for the future.

Don't get your hopes up for a E-REV Jeep in the near future.