Introduction
Chrysler LLC is developing a line of electric-powered vehicles for each of its brands. The Dodge product is a pure electric vehicle, while the Chrysler and Jeep entries are range-extended electric vehicles that can run on electric power alone for up to 40 miles. These two vehicles will also have a small gasoline engine to recharge the battery and extend the range to 400 miles.
The Jeep product will be a version of the Wrangler Unlimited, the 4-door version of the venerable Wrangler. It will be called the Jeep EV and will come with 4-wheel drive. Chrysler LLC says one of the three new electric vehicles will be available by the end of 2010, but the company isn’t divulging which will come first. The others should follow soon thereafter, with other possible electric vehicles to come as well. The company has also announced that up to 100 of these electric vehicles will show up in government, business, utility and development fleets as early as 2009.
The Jeep EV is being developed by Chrysler LLC’s in-house organization ENVI. ENVI, which takes its name from the first four letters in “environmental,” has been tasked with looking at the future of the automobile without the internal combustion engine. Through ENVI, Chrysler and General Electric are working with the Department of Energy to explore advanced energy storage (battery) technologies. Advances here would make the EV’s battery smaller and less expensive.
Model Lineup
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is offered in three trim levels: base X, mid-line Sahara, and off-road oriented Rubicon. We expect the Jeep EV to be outfitted like the Sahara. That means standard features will include stain-resistant cloth upholstery; air conditioning; power windows, locks and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; an Infinity sound system with Sirius satellite radio; compass; outside-temperature indicator; skid plates to protect the transfer case and fuel tank; fog lamps; and all-terrain tires on aluminum wheels.
