Last week we got a good look at three electric vehicles that Chrysler intends to produce, with one of them coming into production as early as 2010. If that happens Chrysler would be right there with GM as the only two makers of mass produced electric vehicles (the Tesla Roadster isn’t mass produced). That’s just the beginning according to Chrysler.
Frank Klegon, Chrysler’s executive vice president of product development, has said that half the cars sold here in 2020 will feature electric power drivetrains. That’s a pretty amazing leap in just one decade. Lets hope they can do it.
When does it make sense to outsource key elements of product design and how far do you take it?
Chrysler this week announced that it was much closer than most who follow the auto industry realized with the development of its new prototype of electric cars. It’s clear that cars that can achieve 200 miles on a single battery charge and quickly accelerate to highway speeds on battery power, can resuscitate Chrysler’s market position and possibly be among the factors that change the current oil usage equation.
“We are well ahead where the industry observers thought we were,” Chrysler President Tom LaSorda said.
Whether it was that financial aspect, time-to-market issues, or a combination of both, Chrysler chose to rely on suppliers for help in design of many key elements of the new electric prototype to a much greater degree than usual.
“Chrysler was able to make quick progress on electric cars by relying on outside suppliers for many of the key components,” The Wall Street Journal noted. “That is a big change from the auto industry’s traditional approach in which car makers develop most of a car’s components themselves.”
Right now that bet looks smart. It is clearly part of the trend called “Supply Chain Virtualization,” as companies in most industries are adding less and less value to the products they sell. The supply chain adds 80% or more of the value in many cases, from a production perspective. The final seller is increasingly just the “final assembler” in the process.
Loans for automakers and parts suppliers from a $25-billion pool expected to pass Congress this week might not reach the industry for six to 18 months, the U.S. Department of Energy said Thursday.
Detroit automakers are facing a cash crunch that is expected to last through 2010, and lawmakers added requirements to the loan program this week to speed the process of handing out funds.
Under the bill, the DOE must write the rules for the loans within 60 days of the bill becoming law. But DOE spokeswoman Healy Baumgardner said Thursday that the agency had “significant doubts about whether distribution of loans by January 2009 is realistic.”
“Because there are a number of legal and administrative requirements with which the department must comply, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, we anticipate it could take at least six to 18 months or more” before loans are granted.
Rep. John Dingell, a Dearborn Democrat, said in a statement that the agency was “making excuses for its own anticipated failures,” adding that “I hope this statement is not a sign of continued indifference to the U.S. auto industry on the part of the Bush administration in its waning days.”
Wall Street firms have estimated that the loans could sharply reduce the cash needs of General Motors Corp. in 2009, and at Chrysler LLC to a lesser degree, while also helping dozens of suppliers.
Looks like someone has a vested interest in the Detroit automakers demise, or at the very least slowing down their ability to change over their line up to meet the new market needs.
The EVs announced on Tuesday are not the only electric cars being announced by Chrysler this week. General Electric Motors (G.E.M.), a Chrysler subsidiary has been making smaller electric vehicles for almost a decade now.
Though the Chrysler EV, Dodge EV, and Jeep EV stole the limelight the new offering from G.E.M. deserves some consideration. On the same day that reporters were so eager to drive one of the EVs G.E.M. announced the Peapod. A smaller electric vehicle meant for driving around in neighborhoods only.
If the Peapod looks like a golf cart on steroids it’s because the Peapod is not much bigger (or that much more powerful) than one. The Peapod has a range of 30 miles and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Making it safe to drive on neighborhood streets but no suitable for faster roads. It uses regenerative breaking to extend the range and can be plugged into any 110 volt outlet. Charging while plugged in takes 6-8 hours.
The Peapod is meant to be as user friendly as possible. The new center console offers iPod integration as well as hands free use of the users iPhone.
“We have evolved the GEM design language to better reflect its eco-friendly performance and its upbeat, positive image,” said Peter Arnell, Chrysler LLC’s Chief Innovation Officer who led the design process. “These vehicles use no gasoline and emit no pollutants. So whether it’s a trip around the neighborhood or the drive to school or work, the GEM Peapod is the ideal way to contribute to a greener planet, and a healthy lifestyle.”
The Peapod is the first of several new models to be introduced in the upcoming years. In addition to the Peapod G.E.M. plans to introduce a light duty battery powered truck as well as a larger truck meant for city use. Both are slated for production in the next year.
“Over the past decade, GEM has established itself as the nation’s leading battery-powered, pure electric vehicle,” said GEM President and COO Rick Kasper. “We have done that by responding to the needs of our customers for safety, utility, versatility and performance in environmentally friendly vehicles.”
G.E.M. is the nations leading electric car manufacturer with over 38,000 electric vehicles already sold.
Cerberus Capitol Management owns an 80.1% stake in Chrysler. The deal between Daimler and Chrysler left Daimler with 19.9% in Chrysler. It would seem that Cerberus thinks that Chrysler is well on it’s way to becoming profitable and they don’t want to share any of that profit with Diamler, Cerberus wants to buy the remaining 19.9% from Daimler. From a Chrysler Press release:
Chrysler LLC confirms that Cerberus Capital Management, LP has approached Daimler AG about the possible redemption of its 19.9 percent stake in Chrysler Holding LLC. Cerberus and Daimler are currently in discussions.
In the event of a successful transaction, common projects between Daimler and Chrysler in the areas of research and development and advanced technologies would continue.
Since the guys running Daimler are pretty business savy I’m sure they’ll be eager to sell their remaining 19.9% to Cerberus.
Chrysler recently announced that it is seriously considering producing the Dodge EV as it’s first production ENVI vehicle. The Dodge EV is based on the Lotis Europa was unveiled on Tuesday. Chrysler is also no stranger to platform sharing, it currently produces the Routan minivan for Volkswagen based on the Chrysler Town & Country and will produce the Titan for Nissan based on the Dodge Ram.
On the other side of things, Lotus is already supplying California-based Tesla with its Elise two-door, which serves as the basis for the Tesla Roadster. Chrysler took notice of the Roadster’s Lotus roots and discovered just how ideal Lotus platforms were for sporty, yet efficient, vehicles.
“Lotus has a lot of experience with lightweight vehicles and aluminum structures,” Frank Klegon, Chrysler executive vice president of product development, told Automotive News. That light curb weight is a major factor in the Dodge EV’s ability to sprint from 0-60 in under five seconds and reach a top speed of 120 mph.
If Chrysler does give the Dodge EV the green light the Michigan automaker will source the EV’s platform directly from Lotus. But, Chrylser will supply it’s own drivetrain like Tesla.
The production Dodge EV will likely undercut the Roadster’s $109,000 price tag. Klegon noted the Dodge EV would list for less than $109,000, but failed to give an exact figure. Whatever the price, the Dodge EV could be roaming the streets in production guise as early as 2010.
The senate passed a bill that will likely total over $600 billion in spending measures on tuesday. Of that $25 billion is for backed loans to the auto industry. The house of representatives will likely vote on the bill today.
The inclusion of the low-interest loan guarantees is a victory for struggling U.S. manufacturers General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co, and Chrysler LLC, which is controlled by private equity firm Cerebus Capital Management LLC. All three automakers have been lobbying congress for flexible low interest loans. They claim that the current loans are too rigid with how they spend their money. The Detroit three need more capital to fund research and technology like Chrysler’s ENVI products and the Chevy Volt.
“I’m not a fan of the American auto industry and I’m not a fan of this provision. But Congress authorized it and we’re providing the funding for it,” said Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat.
Included in the package is a tax rebate for people tha buy plugin hybrid vehicles. The credit starts at $2500 and goes up to $7500 based on the type of vehicle bought. The credit doesn’t phase out until the automaker has sold 250 thousand plugin hybrids.
It’s no coincidence that both Chrysler extended range vehicles (Town and Country and Wrangler) announced boast the same 40 mile electric only range that the Chevy Volt does. According to studies 80% of americans drive 40 miles or less per day. That means that the 40 miles of battery power allows most people that buy an extended range electric vehicle to not use gas on a daily basis. However, GM has worked hard and made some compromises with the aerodynamics of the Volt to achieve the 40 mile range of the vehicle. Both of Chrysler’s vehicles are not nearly as aerodynamic.
The answer is all in the batteries. Battery storage capacity is measured in watt-hours, more or less the total amount of energy used over time. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is simply a thousand watt-hours and this is what’s used to measure big batteries, the kind used in modern hybrids. The Chevy Volt uses a 16 kWh battery and only really functions within a range of 50-80% charge in order to extend battery life.
The Chrysler EV uses a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery which operates at 200 kW and up to 410 volts, it’s paired with an electric motor that produces 268 HP with a whopping 480 lb-ft of torque. Together you get 40 miles of battery powered driving.
The Jeep EV uses a 27 kWh battery pack. It has to be big since the Wrangler isn’t aerodynamic at all (brick) and it has to power all 4 wheels. Interestingly it’s paired with the same motor as the Chrysler EV, which maintains the 268 HP but drops the torque down to 295. The lower torque number is probably there to extend the range, though I’d like to see the crazy 480 lb-ft of torque that’s found in the Chrysler EV.
In both cases it comes down to larger battery packs. Since the Volt is small it doesn’t have much space to store the batteries. The Chrysler EV and the Jeep EV are considerably larger allowing for bigger batteries. Allowing all three vehicles to achieve 40 miles on battery power.
Today Chrysler is announcing four new models in their electric drive vehicle line up from their ENVI division. Chrysler claims that these vehicles will go on sale starting in 2010. The models include a sportscar for the Dodge brand, a Wrangler for the Jeep brand, a minivan for the Chrysler brand, and a neighborhood vehicle cherry picked from the G.E.M. (Global Electric Motors) subsidiary that Chrysler owns.
Development of all three models will continue furiously and Chrysler will select one model to mass produce that they think is best suited for the market at the time. The company is many years into research on electric drive technology and will be applying it to vehicles in all areas, front wheel, rear wheel, and body on frame four wheel drive platforms.
“We have a social responsibility to our consumers to deliver environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, advanced electric vehicles, and our intention is to meet that responsibility quickly and more broadly than any other automobile manufacturer,” said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO – Chrysler LLC. “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provides a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing electric vehicles to market.”
Electric Vehicle Technology
Chrysler’s Electric Vehicles utilize just three primary components. These include an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor and a controller that manages energy flow. The electric-drive system is being developed for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, and body-on-frame four-wheel-drive vehicle applications.
“This technology provides customers with a vehicle that has zero tailpipe emissions and a 150- to 200-mile driving range – far exceeding most Americans’ daily commutes, as nearly 80 percent of Americans drive less than 40 miles per day, or 14,000 miles per year,” said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President – Product Development, Chrysler LLC. “Electric Vehicles provide the opportunity to fulfill social responsibility, reduce dependency on foreign oil, and eliminate monthly gasoline bills, while delivering performance and utility that our customers desire.”
Range-extended Electric Vehicle Technology
Jeep EV Wrangler
The Range-extended Electric Vehicle combines the electric-drive components of the Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. This provides the positive attributes of an Electric Vehicle with the driving range equivalent to today’s gasoline-powered vehicles – with no compromises in performance.
Range-extended Electric Vehicles offer environmental responsibility without giving up driving range, comfort or utility.
Dodge EV
Rear view of the Dodge EV
The Dodge EV is an all electric two seater rear wheel drive sports car.
“The Dodge EV sets a new standard for what can be expected in electric-drive vehicles,” said Lou Rhodes, Vice President – Advance Vehicle Engineering, and President – ENVI. “The electric-vehicle technology enables a fun-to-drive performance sports car and helps redefine the vision of an environmentally responsible vehicle for the Dodge brand.”
The Dodge EV has a 200 kW electric motor, giving it the equivalent of 268 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. It will go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds and has a 1/4 mile time of 13 seconds with a top speed of 120 mph.
The EV has a driving range of 150-200 miles. It can be recharged using the regular 110 volt outlet in 8 hours, or cut the time in half if you can use a 220 outlet.
Jeep EV
The Jeep EV is an extended range electric vehicle. The technology in the Jeep EV Wrangler is similar to that found in the Chevy Volt. It uses an electric motor to drive the wheels and a battery pack to drive the motor. The battery pack provides for 40 miles of zero emission driving. When the battery pack is depleted a small gas engine starts up and recharges the battery pack. Using eight gallons of gas the Jeep EV can go 400 miles.
The electric motor in the Jeep EV is a 200 kW motor that provides 200 horsepower and 295 lb-ft torque.
“We are also exploring four-wheel-drive, in-wheel electric motors to demonstrate the full reach of ENVI’s advanced electric-drive technologies,” said Rhodes.
The instant torque provided from the electric motor and the ability to drive each wheel independently makes the Jeep EV a great offroading vehicle and right at home in the Jeep line up.
Chrysler EV
ENVI used the same technology that is found in the Jeep EV and put it in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan to make the Chrysler EV.
“With the Chrysler EV, we are able to blend seven-passenger capability and the luxury of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan with electric-drive technology, demonstrating family practicality with zero compromise,” said Rhodes. “ENVI’s electric-drive development vehicles showcase our accelerated application of electric-drive systems into a wide range of vehicles in Chrysler’s future product portfolio.”
The Chrysler EV uses a 190 kW motor to drive the front wheels. The motor provides 255 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 is an acceptable 9 seconds. Using battery power alone the Chrysler EV can go 40 miles, after that a small gas engine generator kicks in to recharge the batteries. Using about 8 gallons of gas the Chrysler EV can go 400 miles.
A123, Watertown, Mass., is a seven-year-old company vying to break into the nascent market for lithium-ion battery packs for automobiles. A123 is in the running to supply batteries for the Chevrolet Volt, the electric car General Motors Corp. is developing.
A deal to supply Chrysler would give a boost to A123’s business ahead of a planned initial public stock offering. It registered for the offering in August.
A spokeswoman for Chrysler said the company “has nothing to announce at this time” about suppliers for its electric car. An A123 spokesman declined to comment, noting the company is in a quiet period because of its registration for an IPO.
Chrysler has been keeping its work on electric cars under tight wraps. But in recent weeks, as GM’s Volt drew heavy media attention, Chrysler management became concerned that the company was being left out of the increasing buzz about electric vehicles, people familiar with the matter said.
