Chrysler dealers to get preview of three new EVs this month
Click the Dodge Zeo for a high-res gallery
As has become the custom in recent years, Chrysler unveiled a trio of concept vehicles at last January's Detroit Auto Show. This years designs all had one thing in common: electric drive. The Jeep Renegade and Chrysler EcoVoyager were both range extended EVs while the Dodge Zeo was a pure battery electric design. This month, Chrysler is finally launching sales of its first hybrids but co-president Jim Press told a media gathering on Tuesday that three new electric drive prototypes would be shown to dealers at a meeting later in September. Press didn't give any indication of when the vehicles would go on sale but did say that plug-in hybrid vehicles are the first priority with new platforms being developed with electrification in mind. Press also told the Motor Press Guild meeting that Chrysler still has access to the Daimler's technology and that the company is working with several different battery suppliers.
Gallery: Dodge Zeo Concept
Gallery: Chrysler EcoVoyager Concept
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 9:35AM (9/03/2008)
I'll believe it when I see it in the showrooms...
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Andy 11:09AM (9/03/2008)
Very happy to see another full EV concept. The jungle drum beat is getting louder.
Personally I'd prefer to see short range EV's with an average Joe chassis. Something like a Corolla with 80 miles full EV range.
If someone risks a shot at it they might find a few folks willing to pay the battery premium for a very practical vehicle.
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Dan 11:14AM (9/03/2008)
i'm loving the dodge zero concept
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MemphisNET 11:25AM (9/03/2008)
The first EV Trio from Chrysler were interesting. I can see how the styling could evolve into something a bit more universal. I can't remember, but was the Zeo RWD? That's the kind of EV I could see myself in - without being in Tesla 100k territory.
@Andy
Agreed. I just want something that will take me to work and back with no gas - such as the Volt. I'm about 55 miles to work - so in theory I should use only a minimal amount of fuel on my trip. Plug it in when I get there, 9hours later I'm coming home. It's an exciting time!
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Brent 4:49PM (9/03/2008)
No wonder why you have so many miles on your cars. That is a long trip to work.
meme 11:46AM (9/03/2008)
I wish they would have given more details. There was nothing in the article that I can use to add to my list of upcoming EVs:
http://www.daughtersoftiresias.org/greenwiki/Electric_vehicle#What.27s_coming_out_soon.3F
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RightBrain 2:14PM (9/04/2008)
Why don't any of these cars incorporate photovoltaic cells in the roof and hood panels? A car sits outside most of the time, it could be recharging. There is technology available to spray cells on surfaces so any rounded surface could still have a PV.
This seems like an odd oversight.
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Jeff 2:54PM (9/04/2008)
Interesting - Chrysler seems to be dumping the "blunt nose" redesign that Daimler handed them and going back to the sleeker cab forward design again.
But why call it an Eco-Voyager if it's not a minivan?
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Jeff 2:55PM (9/04/2008)
RightBrain,
Probably because they didn't want to add $100k to the cost of the car for what would be a very limited benefit.
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Leon 2:59PM (9/04/2008)
Perhaps if some are so worried about their car's emissions, they should move closer to where they work.
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Andy Freeman 4:11PM (9/04/2008)
> Personally I'd prefer to see short range EV's with an average Joe chassis. Something like a Corolla with 80 miles full EV range.
With that short range, it can't be an only car. In many cases, it can't even be the second car. A 2nd/3rd car purchased only for gas savings can not cost very much.
Do the math. At $10/work day for gas, we're talking about $220/month. Call it $250/month and we're up to $3k/year for gas.
Yes, there are lots of folks who use more gas, but 80 mile range doesn't work for them. That's why I used 2g/day at $5/g - that's 20-30 miles.
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Mike 6:31PM (9/04/2008)
Why do car companies feel the need to make these electric cars look so dumb?
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