VIDEO: Chrysler's new EVs in action
Jeep EV
Along with all the photos of its new battery-powered vehicles, Chrysler yesterday also provided some video footage. The clips after the jump include Chrysler VP for ENVI, Lou Rhodes, discussing the electric vehicle program, and running footage of the Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep EVs. There isn't much new here but you might want to see these vehicles in action, silently humming along as they do their business. Although Chrysler has made some bold claims, it will be interesting to see which if any of these ever make it to mass production. The Jeep in particular is interesting because if Chrysler can build a commercially viable Jeep EV it could also presage a similar RAM.
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- Chrysler execs talk about new electric vehicles
Gallery: 2011 Chrysler EVs
[Source: Chrysler]
Lou Rhodes, Vice President - Advance Vehicle Engineering and President - ENVI, discusses Chrysler's trio of electric vehicle prototypes.
Dodge EV
Chrysler ER-EV
Jeep ER-EV
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gordio 2:28PM (9/24/2008)
I'm actually very excited about this. i wonder why dodge didn't even tease us with anything until a few days ago. Hopefully that sports car comes in a 6 speed manual. I never get why EVs have one gear "because they don't need more than one gear". The centrifuge used in my old lab had 7 gears and it needs it to go as fast and efficient as it does.
Plus it's more fun : )
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CanaDoc 5:39PM (9/24/2008)
"I never get why EVs have one gear "because they don't need more than one gear"." - you just answered your own question - they don't NEED one. Using the easy-accesible Tesla specs - it's max torque (276 ft/lb) starts at 0 rpm(yep, z-e-r-o) and goes all the way to 4500 rpm... how often do you go above 4500 rpm in daily driving? Mechanical transmissions add weight (both static and rotational) which costs more power, reducing battery range. Besides, even if there was even a 2 speed EV (a la Tesla pre 1.5) a) it wouldn't "feel" like anything you'd be driving today. b) you wouldn't even use 2nd gear until you were doing over 60 mph.
I doubt your lab centrifuge had "gears". Speed settings aren't the same thing... they're just a diffrent application of a rev limiter.
The idea is 'fun' but, practially speaking, it's outdated.
someEEguy 11:11PM (9/24/2008)
Reasons you will never see a “6-speed transmission” in an electric car (designed by engineers):
- Efficiency/Performance Loss
- Reliability
- Weight
- Volume
- Added cost
- Added complexity
etc.
You may see some multi-speed transmissions (likely far less than 6 speeds) in performance electric cars targeting very high top speeds; other than that they are a pointless liability in an ev application.
Wise Golden 2:55PM (9/24/2008)
Wonderful!
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darius 3:25PM (9/24/2008)
Very exciting. If I could buy that Lotus body car under $30k I would be first at the dealer. Even if it only had 40 mile range.
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wave54 4:51PM (9/24/2008)
Get serious! The Lotus Europa sells for $50-$60,000 in Europe with a gas engine. With a 26 kWh battery costing approximately $12,000 in volume, why would you expect a bargain price for this car?
Think of it as a lower-priced Tesla instead.
Snowdog 5:41PM (9/24/2008)
26KWh battery for $12 000? Based on what. I haven't seen an actual battery pack for sale for under $1000/KWh.
Look at the recently priced lowered battery packs for the Prius. ~$2 500 for about 1.5KWh??
Altair nano second batch of 35KWh packs were $65 000 each. (First batch was $75 000).
Find me a real battery pack less than $1000/KWh.
But in general I agree with your overall sentiment. These cars will all be prohibitively expensive with that much battery on board. I just think it will be much worse than you expect.
jake 7:17PM (9/24/2008)
@Snowdog
I think the Tesla Roadster pack @ 53kWh is ~$22k so that is probably where wave54 got his price from. You can google it and that is basically what they quote as the price. However it is true they are only cheaper because Tesla uses Laptop cells which are relatively inexpensive compared to other li-ion cells (given they are currently made in the largest numbers and they have the best energy density avaliable). Chrysler probably will be using more expensive cells that last longer (both shelf & cycle life).
Snowdog 9:07PM (9/24/2008)
Nothing on the Tesla page indicates that is the case. They carefully avoid talking about battery prices.
I think there is an article in the news once about Telsa that made that claim, but I have seen nothing solid.
The only solid numbers are MUCH higher.
Brad 5:55PM (9/24/2008)
That Dodge EV looks like it would be incredibly easy to get to market...
The UQM stuff is all off the shelf, bodies and running gear are already available, all they would need is batteries in production quantity.
Amazingly simple little car. Seems a little back-heavy?
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Andrew 7:27PM (9/24/2008)
The interior of the dodge ev is almost exactly like the tesla roadster. I know they were both designed by Lotus but its getting a little ridiculous when you copy everything from the steering wheel to the glove compartment....
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Gordio 9:35PM (9/24/2008)
Canadoc:
They don't "need" it is not the same as they don't "benefit" from it. More gears can still make the car faster (taller gears i.e. 1st, 2nd gears) and give it more range (shorter gears 5th, 6th gear)
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JoeC 3:28AM (9/25/2008)
The most interesting fact is what Lou Rhodes mentions in the first video in the 20 seconds between minute 2.00 and 2.20.
"If you go more than the 40 miles electric than with ten gallons of gas the range-extender will allow you to travel up to 400 miles without stopping (abridged)".
the math, two versions depending on interpretation:
*400 miles incl. the 40 miles electric: 400-40=360 miles. 360 miles/10 gallons of tank volume = 36mpg with gas generator running.
*400 miles exlc. the 40 miles electric: 400/10 gallons of tank volume = 40mpg with gas generator running.
36-40 mpg is quite good for a vehicle the size of the Jeep Wrangler that is currently rated at max 16/21 mpg (c/h) for the 2008 3.8 manual 2WD by EPA.
However, given that a Prius is rated 48/45 mpg (c/h) today, I want to see Chrysler putting their technology in the average 4/5-door family sedan or even better a sleek wagon family car. I don't hink making gas guzzlers more acceptable again will do. Make really fuel efficient vehicles available such as a Chrysler 300/Dodge Magnum with 65/75 mpg (C/h) with gas generator running and 40 miles electric before that and I figure that a lot of people will buy one. I know cars that get that today and are much smaller (Smart anybody?) and thus less practical. Similar milage in a big-ish family car and you've got yourselves a best seller Chrysler! Oh, and where can I send my consulting bill? :-)
Still: step in the right direction and all...
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Niralisherni 6:54AM (9/25/2008)
These are very exciting times for the electric industry. So many new and wonderful vehicles in the offing, obviously everyone is really serious about EVs.
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Wayne Dunham 7:58AM (9/25/2008)
I didn't see the really important question answered. Does the Wrangler EV come with 4wd/Awd? I need that to get in/out of my driveway in the winter.
Now if they can give me part time 4wd, 40 mile EV range, and keep it under $35k they might just have me.
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Chris M 3:59AM (9/26/2008)
The current Jeep EV prototype they are showing has a single motor and rear wheel drive only. However, they are testing a 4 motor 4 wheel drive design, if the motors prove reliable enough they plan to offer that as an option. Of course, 4 motors will cost more than a single motor and differential.
mroverlord 11:43AM (9/25/2008)
I read somewhere that is was available in 4wd & 2wd.
@ Joe C: I understand your viepoint for wanting it in a smaller car, but these vehicles show that you can put these systems in just about anything to great effect.
I highly doubt you will ever see a Charger/300 getting 65-75mpg...they are just too heavy. Maybe an Avenger or Caliber......
Also, making a Jeep that gets 40mpg is perfectly acceptable to me. I'd take a Jeep over a Prius any day.....
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tv 10:28PM (9/25/2008)
Speaking of high mileage vehicles... does anyone remember during the Clinton years that he posed a challenge to the big 3 to come up with the most fuel efficient vehicle they could? The winner was Chrysler with a vehicle they called the patriot. It used gasoline to power a turbine which in turn charged a bank of batteries that powered motors at the wheels. Acceleration was 0-60mph in about 5.5s and achieving a fuel efficiency of 90mpg. Oh yeah, and the vehicle was the size of a Cadillac STS.
So am I dreaming this up or does anyone else remember this?
I have tried to search for this info but found nothing.
TV
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Chris M 4:13AM (9/26/2008)
It was called "Partnership for Next Generation Vehicles", and the government provided billions to develop high mileage hybrids. Toyota and Honda were not allowed to participate, so they went and developed their own hybrids - and got them into production and on the road BEFORE GM, Ford and Chrysler got their prototypes finished and displayed in 2001. Bush jr. canceled the PNGV program, the prototypes were mothballed, and the Big 3 went SUV crazy instead. Toyota and Honda got the last laugh when gas prices soared, hybrids took off, and the Big 3 are still trying to catch up.
Some of your details are a bit off. Turbocharger, maybe, but not a turbine. It was quite a bit lighter and much more aerodynamic than a CTS, but it did achieve excellent fuel economy.
Paoli 10:08AM (9/26/2008)
Seems like the current Jeep Patriot would be a much better candidate for EV/ER-ification than the Wrangler. It is a much smaller, much lighter, much more aerodynamic brick. Why start with the aerodynamics of a cinder block when you already have a nice rounded brick in the stable?
Perhaps the Patriot would be a better match for a pure EV. Not enough room for the range extender powerplant?
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