In an effort to boost its green image, General Motors has been all about its Chevrolet Volt range-extending electric vehicle — despite the fact that it is still over two years away from production. On the other side of the coin, Chrysler has been relatively mum on the electric vehicle side of things. However, Chrysler shattered that silence earlier today when it unveiled a trio of electrified vehicles.
CNBC got an exclusive look at Chrysler’s electric car lineup, which includes one all-electric vehicle – dubbed the Dodge EV — and two range-extending electric vehicles – the Chrysler EV and Jeep EV — that operate in the same fashion as the Chevy Volt.
The Dodge EV doesn’t actually appear to be all that much different from Tesla’s Roadster. Although Dodge never mentioned the name Lotus when talking about the Dodge EV, the donor car is clearly a Lotus Europa. The Roadster is based on the Lotus Elise.
Under its Lotus-sourced bodywork, the Dodge EV packs a lithium-ion battery pack capable of a 150-200 mile range. And, like the Roadster, the Dodge EV has a heavy emphasis on performance, with the sprint from 0-60 said to take less than 5 seconds.
Chrysler also unveiled a pair of range-extending electric vehicles, the Chrysler EV and the Jeep EV. The Chrysler EV is based on the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and uses lithium-ion batteries to provide 40 miles of all-electric motoring. After those 40 miles, an internal combustion engine – displacing 1.0L — kicks on to recharge the batteries, but has no influence on the cars driveline like in a typical hybrid vehicle. The Jeep EV operates in a similar way, but actually uses four separate electric motors in each of the Wrangler’s four wheels. This design is intended to give the Jeep even more off-road capabilities.
If these systems sound familiar, it’s because they are essentially the same setup the Chevy Volt utilizes. And, like the Volt, Chrysler hopes to have at least one of its vehicles to market by 2010, with production ramping up throughout 2011 and 2012. No word on which vehicle has the best shot to hit the market first, but it would seem as though the Dodge EV’s simpler drivetrain would make it the likely candidate – especially considering the Tesla Roadster is already buzzing around public roads. The Chrysler EV is probably second in line with the Jeep EV’s more complex electric motor system likely pushing its production to at least 2013. Whatever the case, the race to be the first to electrify the common passenger car has officially begun.
09/23, 11:18 AM
posted by:
A4
is that a lotus europa
09/23, 11:19 AM
posted by:
A4
oh yeah it is nevermind
09/23, 11:20 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Holy snappin’ Cordobas Batman- where were they hiding these all along?
09/23, 11:31 AM
posted by:
Raven37
its funny how much it looks like a dodge with all the decals on it
09/23, 11:42 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
where is my electric dodge hornet at dammit!! -
09/23, 11:45 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
I’m amazed at how that Lotus frame has found its way into so many other cars, from the Tesla to several European electrics to other prototypes and diesels — really a neat piece of engineering, to be so adaptable (and mid-engine to boot).
09/23, 11:50 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Very cool. It seems that those Lotus frames are very well suited to sports EVs.
09/23, 11:59 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Can Dodge just put a gas engine in that, stick a crosshair grille up front, and sell it already? They could really use something to generate some interest.
09/23, 12:33 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Still not as nice as a Kappa and infinitiely more ugly than the Solstice especially. Chicks will probably cross-shop it with their 350Z cars or their Z4’s but the real drivers will still be buying Solstices and Skys.
What a waste of what little money you have left Chrysler. You’d better off trying to build a competent Chevrolet Aveo/G3 competitor that Americans are hot for right now, not 2 seaters
09/23, 12:35 PM
posted by:
Mike the loser
Yeah, Yeah, How much will they be? Also will that Lotus based car be build in USA, because if that is not the case, Lotus as it is costs about 50K, with this EV thing it will be in 60K-70K range.
09/23, 1:05 PM
posted by:
tzu13
Honda called. They want their RSX headlights back.
09/23, 1:08 PM
posted by:
shaver
Marketing people are working OT.
09/23, 1:11 PM
posted by:
MercMark
Did you guys miss the Chrysler Toast-o-Matic minivan in the background?
Have fun fording streams in your electric Wrangler BRZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
09/23, 1:34 PM
posted by:
John Doe Jr
Need more oil for GM, Americans may feel inclined to buy a Chevy Aveo, they may settle for a Chevy Aveo, but they will never, ever, be hot for one.
09/23, 1:57 PM
posted by:
gtv6
I don’t understand electric cars. Has anyone looked at their electric bill lately?
09/23, 2:40 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Mark, they make waterproof watches, cameras and flashlights, why not car batteries? I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
Need More Oil doesn’t understand what it means to be “hot for” something, since he’s never had a woman “hot for him”. Plus, he’s just Cracker Hemi in a sarcastic, evil twin sort of guise, so don’t take him seriously.
gtv6, my electric bill is nowhere NEAR my gasoline bill, and I don’t go anywhere (my wife does, though). If I were to have an EV that went 50 miles on one charge, I could go to and from work for two weeks between charges. Charging at night may cost me an extra $5.00 or $10.00, but filling up costs me a good $50.00 to $75.00. I’m actually more worried about the longevity of the batteries, as I live in the hot desert and car batteries tend to last less than three years here. I don’t want a $2,000 battery replacement every three years…
09/23, 2:59 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
I’d like to believe that Chrysler is on its way to building such vehicles, but I am more inclined to believe that this a prelude to trying woo people through hype versus substance that Chrysler is still alive and competitive. Where is that overladen taxpayer bailout when you really need it?
09/23, 4:04 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Cool, but I rather have a Charger…
;) 
And need more oil, you crack-me-up..LOL…
I’m laughing with you, not at with you…LOL…
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09/23, 4:32 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m kind of thinking the ‘Stow & Go’ feature is unlikely to be available in the Chrysler EV.
The article doesn’t give a clear indication of when these are going to be for sale (how could they know), but it doesn’t sound like it’s completely improbable one of these could hit the streets at or around the same time as the Volt. Now wouldn’t that steal a little of Chevy’s thunder. It’s also worth noting that the Chrysler EV is using an even smaller 1.0 litre engine vs. the Volt’s 1.4l. The article mentions nothing of msrp (again, how could they know at this point), but suppose the Chrysler also comes in at roughly the same price point as the Volt? Now if their respective performance numbers aren’t totally swayed towards one or the other, which one would you take for the same money- a 4 passenger car or a 7 passenger minivan?
A lot of ifs, I know, but this really could be interesting.
09/23, 5:55 PM
posted by:
mmhurst
>’m amazed at how that Lotus frame has found its way into so many other cars<
That shouldn’t be so strange as that is a big part of what Lotus does. The are three parts of Group Lotus – Lotus Cars, Lotus Formula One and Lotus Engineering. Lotus Engineering has worked on previous Dodge models as well as the Delorean, Isuzus, Fords, Corvettes, Opels, Vauxhalls and of course the current Tesla Roadster.
09/23, 6:49 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
The Europa never sold well for Lotus. Mabe it will do better w/ Chrysler, but it doesnt feel right. How did Chrysler get a Lotus? They dont deserve such a nice car..
09/23, 7:23 PM
posted by:
bolex
sports cars are nice but a EV minivan would be hit for the masses. LLN doesnt have pics of the 4th EV. a tiny GEM car….
09/23, 7:48 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
VWgrouP is right.. the Europa has always been the odd duck in Lotus’ lineup.. though the layout is similar to the Elise/Exige, its 2+2 styling has always been extemely awkward and throwback.. which is probably why it looks like a perfect companion to the Viper! Lotus has no need for these old bodyshells anyway, now that the much hotter Evora has arrived.
09/24, 4:49 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
LOL nobody got it…..
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09/24, 11:27 PM
posted by:
FlyingB
A Lotus body with Dodge decals and badges? Sweet grandmother’s spatula!
09/26, 11:43 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Wow, the EV Jeep interior is incredible. If their EV Caravan is decently priced, and it comes out in good time, I will definitely consider replacing my Quest with this. I do worry about road trips, though, as we like to travel. But who knows?
That engine compartment reminds me of the racks in my control room at work. Big black boxes with fat cables coming out of them, and lots of fans. It looks good, though. I’m going to have to learn more about electronic engineering if I want to work on my car…
…wait, I already have to do that!