Chrysler, Ford and Other Automakers Unveil Plans for Electric Vehicles

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The Dodge Circuit EV can be driven for up to 200 miles between battery charges.
The Dodge Circuit EV can be driven for up to 200 miles between battery charges.
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Chrysler's EV Concept has an all-electric range of 40 miles and an extended range of about 400 miles.
Chrysler's EV Concept has an all-electric range of 40 miles and an extended range of about 400 miles.

<p>General Motors may be receiving the lion’s share of attention for its <a title=”Chevy Volt” href=”https://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/green-vehicles/chevy-volt-electric-car-update” target=”_self”>Chevy Volt</a>, but Chrysler, Ford and other automakers are also pushing forward in the development of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (also known as range-extended electric vehicles).</p>
<p>At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chrysler has unveiled the 200C EV Concept, a sports sedan with an all-electric range of 40 miles and an extended range of about 400 miles. Chrysler also added the Jeep Patriot EV — another range-extended electric vehicle — to its collection of electric vehicle concepts that it <a title=”first unveiled” href=”http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/news_detail.cfm/news_id=11990″ target=”_blank”>first unveiled</a> last September. That collection includes electrified versions of the Jeep Wrangler and the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, as well as a Dodge-branded all-electric sports car that’s based on the Lotus Europa S.</p>
<p>Chrysler still won’t say which of the vehicles will be produced for North American markets in 2010, but the company has updated its Dodge EV with Dodge-specific front and rear ends and a Dodge interior, and it has renamed the vehicle as the Dodge Circuit EV, so maybe that’s a clue.</p>
<p>If Chrysler does release an all-electric sports car in 2010, it will be in direct competition with two North American startup companies: Tesla Motors and Fisker Automotive.</p>
<p>Tesla produces the Roadster, an all-electric two-seater with a body inspired by the Lotus Elise and built by Lotus Engineering. On Sunday, Tesla started taking orders for the new Roadster Sport, an enhanced-performance version of the Roadster that will sell for $128,500 when deliveries begin in June. Tesla has so far produced 150 Roadsters, which sell for $109,000, and the 1,100 people on the company’s waiting list have the option of upgrading to the Roadster Sport.</p>

  • Published on Jan 15, 2009
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