Chrysler may be lagging behind the rest of the automotive world in hybrid vehicle technology, but the Michigan-based automaker might have a trick up its sleeve to help catapult it to the forefront of plug-in hybrid technology. Chrysler has teamed with General Electric for a new project that will demonstrate GE’s dual-battery energy storage system.
GE’s hybrid technologies have been used in railroad applications – which the company calls a “6,000-horsepower Prius on rails” – and GE will also use its system for a heavy-duty, off-highway hybrid truck. But beyond commercial applications, GE also wants to expand its technology to include the automotive sector.
“A lot of these technologies are really synergistic to what the automotives need, and we can work together with the automotives in partnership to see how we can advance these technologies further,” Vlatko Vlatkovic, a GE official, told Automotive News.
The partnership with Chrysler seems natural as Chrysler CEO was once an executive at GE.
No word on when Chrysler plans to have a plug-in hybrid to market but, with Toyota and General Motors releasing such vehicles in 2010, Chrysler will no doubt be looking for a launch date soon after the turn of the decade.
06/12, 3:32 PM
posted by:
xyunya
New era upon us: ride-on dishwashers and dryers.
06/12, 3:46 PM
posted by:
F451
Why does this come as no surprise (Nardelli)? Let’s see if Nardelli can screw GE since he was groomed how to screw by GE! All these players, including Cerberus, have about the same ethics (none) so this should be interesting.
06/12, 3:59 PM
posted by:
bolex
good match..Chryslers look like toasters anyway.
06/12, 4:00 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Cerberus should have put Jim Press in charge and never hired Nardelli.
06/12, 4:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Good one Bolex! Does this mean we can’t drive our Chryslers in the rain without fear of being electrocuted?
06/12, 5:09 PM
posted by:
xyunya
johnnycanuck, don’t worry, it will not start in the rain
06/12, 5:41 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Hey now, the Sebring does not look like a toaster, it is even uglier.
06/12, 7:08 PM
posted by:
The Stig
This partnership is safer than Chrysler attempting to develop the technology themselves, which clearly they haven’t. And later, once plug-ins become popular in urban environments, stores like Home Depot will offer free recharging while you shop. What better way to keep the American consumer pacified - subsidized trips to the store.
06/14, 10:20 AM
posted by:
gbb
GE = second largest US Corp only to Exxon-Mobil. With GE technology, you cant go wrong.
Forget the ****ing Volt, this deal will rock if Chrysler can stay afloat long enough for it to come together.